- Google has made its SpeciesNet AI model open-source via GitHub.
- The AI model can be used by wildlife researchers that use camera traps to identify animals.
- It will be able to more effectively work through the massive amounts of data that camera traps generate.
For all of the commercial ambitions that Google has with its generative AI and agentic AI projects, the company also makes solutions available to the scientific community.
The latest of these is SpeciesNet, which is an AI model specifically designed to help wildlife researchers sift through the vast amounts of data that camera traps generate while trying to identify animals.
SpeciesNet is now open-source via GitHub.
“Since 2019, thousands of wildlife biologists have used SpeciesNet through a Google Cloud-based tool called Wildlife Insights to streamline biodiversity monitoring and inform conservation decision-making. The SpeciesNet AI model release will enable tool developers, academics and biodiversity-related startups to scale monitoring of biodiversity in natural areas,” Google explained in a blog post.
Along with SpeciesNet, Google also has two other wildlife-focused initiatives that it detailed this week.
The first of these comes in the form of a startup accelerator program. “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI for Nature and Climate welcomes startups in the Americas and offers 10 weeks of virtual programming, including mentoring and technical support from Google engineers and experts through a mix of one-on-one and group learning sessions,” the big tech company shared.
Applications opened yesterday, 3rd March, and will run until 31st March 2025, with the program set to start in May 2025. More information and details on how to apply, are available here.
The other initiative grant funding for non-profits based in or focusing on Brazil. To that end, Google has provided $3 million to iCS to launch an open call for grant submissions to support AI-enabled solutions.
The submissions are advised to focus on leveraging AI to address one of three issues – reversing biodiversity loss, regenerative agriculture, and the bioeconomy.
