Using Tourist Photos to Track Antarctica’s Penguins with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way researchers observe and map penguin colonies in Antarctica, leveraging the vast number of photographs taken by tourists. “With everyone carrying a camera, the volume of data being collected is staggering,” remarks Heather Lynch from Stony Brook University in New York.

In a collaborative effort, Haoyu Wu and his team, including Lynch, utilized a sophisticated AI tool developed by Meta. This technology, under the guidance of an expert, swiftly identifies and delineates entire penguin colonies in photographs, completing tasks in just 5 to 10 seconds compared to the manual process, which takes considerably longer.

The team also constructed a detailed 3D model of the Antarctic landscape using satellite images and elevation data, enabling them to accurately position the penguin colonies within this model. This innovative approach transforms standard ground photos into a comprehensive bird’s-eye view, allowing scientists to track changes in penguin populations and locations over time—a critical endeavor given the species’ role as indicators of climate change.

However, the implications of Antarctic tourism remain contentious. As pointed out by Annie Schmidt, understanding the factors driving population changes is vital. Some scientists worry that promoting citizen science among tourists could unintentionally boost tourism, while others believe the impact is minimal due to strict regulations.