Google Launches SpeciesNet, An Open-Source AI for Wildlife Identification

Google announced on Monday, three new AI initiatives focused on nature and climate, including SpeciesNet, an open-source AI model designed to identify wildlife.

According to the official announcement, the company is developing projects to address nature and biodiversity loss.

“Today we’re announcing three new efforts to accelerate the protection and restoration of nature in regions home to some of the most critical habitats, ecosystems, and communities,” wrote Mike Werner, Head of Sustainability Programs & Innovation at Google.

The AI model released has been developed to analyze photos and identify species, and trained with over 65M images. SpeciesNet has been used by thousands of wildlife biologists since 2019 with the help of camera traps through a Cloud-based tool called Wildlife Insights. The tool has helped experts share data, monitor biodiversity, process rapidly, and inform organizations and communities, providing guidance in decision-making.

With its release, Google expects the tool to expand and be used by developers, academics, and startups specializing in biodiversity.

The tech giant also introduced a new accelerator for startups and made a $3M investment in the Institute for Climate and Society (ICS) to support organizations developing projects related to reversing biodiversity loss, bioeconomy, and regenerative agriculture.

Google’s accelerator will focus on startups in the Americas developing technologies to protect nature. Starting in May, the tech giant will offer 10 weeks of virtual programming training, mentorship, and technical support from Google engineers. Applications opened yesterday and will continue through March 31st.

The iCS will distribute Google’s $3M funding to selected Brazilian non-profit organizations willing to leverage AI technology to develop their initiatives on biodiversity protection.

Other international climate tech companies, like XOCEAN, have been taking advantage of AI technology to develop their sustainability and biodiversity protection projects.