Scientists in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are leveraging artificial intelligence to map soil moisture across the country. It’s a possible game changer for farmers and a boon for climate models and wildfire forecasts.

University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers are warning that artificial intelligence tools gaining popularity in the fields of genetics and medicine can lead to flawed conclusions about the connection between genes and physical characteristics, including risk factors for diseases like diabetes.

The RISE Initiative inspired the theme of this year’s Sustainability Symposium: AI and Sustainability. Dr. Sara Beery of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, whose work focuses on computer vision research for the environment, biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability, delivered the keynote address.

Dr. Sara Beery, MIT, will speak on AI & Sustainability at the third annual UW–Madison Sustainability Symposium on October 23. Beery’s research focuses on building computer vision methods that enable global-scale environmental and biodiversity monitoring across data modalities.

“The data science certificate provides students with knowledge and skills in computer programming and data analysis, which supplement learning in a wide variety of subject areas across all of campus,” says Bret Larget, chair of the Department of Statistics and director of the Data Science Program.