Philippines inks deal with US firm for AI-powered weather forecasting system

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has entered into a partnership with an artificial intelligence meteorology firm to enhance the country’s resilience against climate change through the development of a high-resolution weather forecasting system.

The Department of Science and Technology signed a memorandum of agreement with Atmo Inc. to build a weather forecasting system for the Philippines using AI technology. 

The Presidential Communications Office said in a release that it will be “Asia’s largest AI-driven weather forecasting program.” 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was quoted as saying that the AI-powered weather forecasting system “will help the Philippines build its climate resilience.” 

The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as strong cyclones and floods, with poor and rural communities bearing the brunt of disasters.

An average of 20 cyclones enter or develop within PAR every year. Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more destructive as the world becomes warmer because of climate change.