artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence exemplifies the need for agile, aggressive and responsive WMOs and the need to prioritize investing and innovation in the Earth's observation and science.
“AI is rapidly restructuring the way we work, creating an increase in the demand for new skills and adoption of AI technology. We need to embrace this challenge and balance AI innovation with long-term involvement with its expansion.”
AI is already widely used in national weather and hydrological services, and can revolutionize how predictions generate, share and act. But it's not a panacea.
Research and operation of such new approaches is expected to accelerate over the next decade, providing new opportunities for weather, climate, and waterway services on an unprecedented scale of use.
As AI and machine learning become more and more permeable in the science of Earth systems, the WMO Executive Council will explain how these tools can ensure that WMO standards, especially WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction Systems (WIPPS), are reliable, sustainable and grounded.
A high-level session on the open consulting platform on public-private sector engagement on artificial intelligence brought together representatives from the WMO community, Big Tech and academia to share their knowledge and experience on future opportunities and challenges.
Strategic Positioning
The Executive Council will discuss WMO strategic priorities when the WMO Secretariat is being asked to do more with fewer resources and move faster.
The WMO president ensures that one of their top priorities is that by the end of 2027 everyone will be covered by early warning services.
“We are witnessing concrete progress and this success is being strengthened by our essential allies,” he said.
Systematic observation funding facility that acts as our shield by closing important data gaps.
Climate risk and early warning system initiative, our sword translates data into immediate, viable warnings.
WMO remains unrecognised by more UN and multilateral systems to address the rise in budget constraints during a period of reform and restructuring as part of the UN80 initiative.
This must change, Celeste Saul said.
This is not a communication issue. This is a strategic positioning challenge. And that is resolved. If we show the impact of our stories to fit broader global priorities and in terms of others understanding them, she said.
When talking about data exchange, connect to diplomacy and security.
When discussing warnings, link them to public trust and institutional legitimacy.
When investing in hydrology, show how it supports peace, agriculture and food systems.
“What we offer is not a minor. It's an essential infrastructure. It's continuity. It's foresight. And it's the purest form of global public good,” she said.
EC-79 Opening Session (June 16, 2025)
WMO
