AI, Satellites Aid Myanmar Earthquake Relief Efforts
Satellite imagery and AI help assess damage in Myanmar after a 7.7 quake, guiding relief teams to affected areas for faster disaster response.
image for illustrative purpose
A satellite deployed its long-range camera over Mandalay early Saturday, capturing images near the epicenter of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday. The goal was to assist relief teams in identifying collapsed and damaged buildings using artificial intelligence technology.
Initial efforts faced setbacks due to cloud cover, according to Microsoft’s chief data scientist Juan Lavista Ferres. “Clouds obstruct visibility, making satellite-based assessments challenging,” he said. Hours later, another satellite from San Francisco-based Planet Labs obtained clear images, which were sent to Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab in Redmond, Washington.
The AI for Good Lab has previously applied AI-driven damage assessments for disasters, including Libya’s 2023 floods and recent California wildfires. However, each situation requires customized AI models. “Natural disasters and satellite imagery vary significantly, requiring tailored AI models for accuracy,” Lavista Ferres explained.
Microsoft’s AI analysis identified 515 buildings in Mandalay with 80 per cent to 100 per cent structural damage and another 1,524 structures sustaining between 20 per cent and 80 per cent damage. These insights provide crucial data for relief organizations determining where to deploy resources first.
Despite the technology’s capability, Microsoft emphasized that on-ground verification is necessary for complete damage assessment. The company has shared its findings with humanitarian groups, including the Red Cross, to support relief efforts.
Planet Labs reported its satellites have photographed about a dozen affected locations in Myanmar and Thailand since the earthquake.
