How a startup founder uses Google Cloud to predict wildfire behavior

Key Concepts:

• Wildfire prediction
• Physics-informed machine learning
• Real-time data pipeline (drones, sensors, phones, satellites)
• Google for Startups
• Google Cloud
• AI-driven solutions for natural disasters
• Scalability

Wildfire Prediction Challenges and Motivation:

The speaker expresses a desire to create impactful solutions and notes the outdated nature of wildfire prediction models, which still rely on equations from the 1970s. This highlights a gap between academic research and practical application in the field. The core problem addressed is the complexity of accurately predicting wildfire spread.

Physics-Informed Machine Learning Approach:

The company spent two years immersed in scientific research, combining physics principles with machine learning techniques. This involved overcoming significant challenges ("banging heads against the wall") to develop a successful "recipe" for predicting fire behavior. The approach leverages the strengths of both physics-based models (understanding the underlying processes) and machine learning (learning from data and improving predictions).

Google for Startups and Google Cloud Support:

Google for Startups provided mentorship, which was crucial in navigating the often-isolating journey of a founder. Access to experienced mentors offered guidance and support. Google Cloud provided access to experienced personnel and AI experts, which was extremely helpful for fast, effective, and scalable deployment.

Real-Time Data Pipeline and Prediction Models:

The company has built a real-time data pipeline that ingests information from various sources: drones, sensors, phones, and satellites. This data is fed into prediction models that can generate forecasts in seconds. This rapid prediction capability is a key advantage.

Expansion to Other Natural Disasters:

The speaker envisions expanding the technology beyond wildfire prediction to address other natural disasters and situational awareness challenges. The underlying AI-driven approach is adaptable to various scenarios.

AI's Role in Empowering Smaller Companies:

AI provides smaller companies with the opportunity to disrupt established industries and build innovative solutions. The speaker emphasizes the rewarding feeling of creating something impactful.

Notable Quotes:

• "I always wanted to build something that could make a real difference."
• "...we were using equations in models that had been used since the 1970s..."
• "...banging heads against the wall until we had this recipe of things that put together they worked."
• "AI gives companies like us smaller companies the opportunity to break the start of school and build something amazing it's the best feeling in the world"

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The company is leveraging physics-informed machine learning and a real-time data pipeline, supported by Google's resources, to revolutionize wildfire prediction. Their approach addresses the limitations of outdated models and aims to provide rapid, accurate forecasts. The technology has the potential to be expanded to other natural disasters, demonstrating the power of AI in empowering smaller companies to create impactful solutions.