Artificial intelligence and machine learning in earth system sciences with special reference to climate science and meteorology in South Asia

Abstract

This study focuses on the current problems in earth system science (ESS), where machine learning (ML) algorithms can be applied. It provides an overview of previous studies, ongoing work at the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, and future applications of ML algorithms to some significant earth science problems. We compare previous studies, a mind map of multidimensional areas related to ML and Gartner’s hype cycle for ML in ESS. We mainly focus on the critical components in earth sciences, including studies on the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, hydrogeology, human health and seismology. Various artificial intelligence (AI)/ML applications to problems in the core fields of earth sciences are discussed, in addition to gap areas and the potential for AI techniques.