IMD taking baby steps in using AI, but apprehensions over accuracy remain

The Indian Meteorological Department is testing AI-based forecasting models, but has found that physical models still offer higher accuracy, especially regarding intensity of specific weather events

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which is looking to actively integrate artificial intelligence (AI) models into weather forecasting, has launched small pilot programmes but remains cautious about their accuracy across all aspects of forecasting, IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.

 

The Ministry of Earth Sciences, which oversees IMD, has constituted a high-powered panel of experts drawn from IMD, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, and other agencies to deliberate on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in forecast modelling.

 

Internally, IMD has also formed a panel to work on AI-driven forecasting