Google AI brings the heat to fight scorching urban temperatures
With 2024 expected to exceed 2023 as the hottest year on record, rising temperatures continue to affect urban areas disproportionately. Urban heat islands -- locations where infrastructure such as buildings and roads trap and radiate heat -- experience temperature increases at twice the global average. This poses a particular risk to vulnerable populations, including older adults, children, and people with chronic health issues. From 2017 to 2021, heat-related deaths among those aged 65 and older increased by roughly 85 percent.
Google Research is working on AI-driven solutions to address this issue. The company's new Heat Resilience tool uses artificial intelligence to analyze satellite and aerial imagery, helping cities estimate the impact of cooling strategies such as tree planting and installing reflective surfaces like cool roofs.