- IBM's Zurich Research Institute is developing tools that policymakers can use to protect ecosystems
Ward Hussein
ZURICH: AI-powered Earth observation is rapidly becoming essential for Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia to predict climate risks, model extreme weather events and protect critical national infrastructure.
The reality was on display inside IBM's research lab in Zurich. There, scientists are advancing geospatial AI and quantum technologies designed to help countries weather a decade of accelerating environmental change.
As one of IBM's most sophisticated centers for climate modeling, satellite analysis and quantum computing, the Zurich facility provides valuable research into the scientific foundations that shape how countries interpret satellite imagery, track environmental change and build long-term resilience strategies.
For Saudi Arabia, where climate adaptation, space technology, and data-driven policies are closely aligned with Vision 2030 goals, the lessons learned from this effort are increasingly urgent.
The institute's research focuses on changing the way we understand satellite data. While traditional space programs focused primarily on spacecraft engineering and image collection, researchers say the future lies in extracting meaning from these vast datasets.
As Juan Bernabe Moreno, director of IBM Research Europe in Ireland and the UK, points out, satellites are ultimately “collecting data,” but real impact will only emerge if institutions can “make sense of that data” using geospatial-based models.
These open-source models allow government agencies, researchers, and local innovators to fine-tune Earth observation AI to their unique geographies and environmental pressures. Bernabe Moreno explained that their application is already generating unexpected insights. They will identify illegal dumping sites, measure how mangrove plantations cool cities, and create flood risk maps for “places that don't normally flood, like Riyadh.”
The connection with Saudi Arabia is clear. Coastal development requires accurate environmental modeling. Restoring mangroves along the Red Sea has become a national priority under the Saudi Green Initiative. Additionally, cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah have recently faced heavy rainfall that has strained existing drainage systems.
The ability to simulate these events before they unfold could help authorities make better decisions about zoning, infrastructure, and emergency planning. Bernabe-Moreno said that today's satellites have “an almost real-time view of what is happening on Earth” and the challenge has shifted from collecting data to interpreting it.
This commitment to actionable intelligence also reflects a major shift in research culture. Major advances in Earth observation increasingly rely on open innovation, including shared data, open source tools, and transparent models that enable global collaboration. “Open innovation is key in this space,” Bernabe-Moreno said, noting that NASA, ESA and IBM rely on openness to avoid delays caused by lengthy IP negotiations.
Saudi Arabia has already embraced this direction. Through SDAIA, KAUST, and national partnerships, Saudi Arabia is moving from consuming global research to actively contributing to it. Researchers claim that open geospatial AI models will allow Saudi developers to build highly localized applications that adapt to regional climate realities and economic priorities.
Beyond Earth observation, IBM's Zurich Research Center is advancing another strategic frontier: quantum computing. Although still in their infancy, quantum technologies have the potential to reshape fields from logistics and materials science to advanced environmental modeling.
Alessandro Curioni, IBM's vice president for Europe and Africa and director of the Zurich Institute, stressed that the value of quantum should not be judged by whether it creates general artificial intelligence. Rather, it should be seen as a tool to extend human capabilities.
“The value of computing is not in creating a second version of yourself, but in creating a superhuman means of doing things that you cannot do yourself,” he said.
Curioni sees quantum not as a replacement for classical computing, but as an extension that can solve problems too complex for classical machines, from simulating fluid dynamics to optimizing large interdependent systems. But he cautioned that major challenges remain, including significant advances in hardware stability and the need for tighter integration with legacy systems. Once these layers mature, he said, “the sky is the limit.”
Saudi Arabia's investments in digital infrastructure, sovereign cloud systems, and advanced research institutions position the country strongly for the quantum era, as enterprise-ready systems begin to scale. Curioni noted that Saudi Arabia is already “moving in the right direction” in terms of infrastructure, ecosystem development and human resources, three things he sees as essential for in-depth research collaboration.
His perspective highlights the broader changes currently underway. In addition to advanced AI applications, Saudi Arabia is building a scientific ecosystem that can sustain long-term innovation. National programs now include workforce development, regulatory frameworks, high-performance computing, and strategic partnerships with global research centers. The researchers argue that this integrated approach can distinguish between countries that simply adopt technology and those that ultimately lead the way.
The message from Zurich is clear, for organizations as well as individuals. As Curioni said, those who resist new tools risk being overtaken by those who embrace them. Generative AI is already handling tasks that once required days of manual analysis, from literature reviews to data processing. “If we don't adopt new technology, we will be overtaken by the companies that do,” he said, adding that the goal is not to be afraid of these tools, but to use them “to better ourselves.”
From geospatial AI to emerging quantum platforms, ongoing research at IBM's Zurich lab reflects technologies that are increasingly informing national planning and environmental resilience.
For countries like Saudi Arabia, such scientific insights may prove essential to balancing rapid development with climate uncertainty. As Swiss researchers design tomorrow's tools, Saudi Arabia is already exploring how these breakthroughs can translate into domestic sustainability, resilience and strategic advantage.
