AI is Making Our Volatile Planet More Predictable

Algal blooms in the oceans, and other marine-water-related risks, are being covered by a new fine-tuned AI model, thanks to IBM’s work with the Plymouth Marine Institute and Exeter University. Two thirds of the Earth is covered by oceans, and, like outer space, we are still on a journey of discovery to understand these huge bodies of water. The data is being collected by the Sentinel-3 mission, which is measuring sea surface topography, temperature, and color to improve our future forecasting and monitoring.

NASA not only has eyes trained on planet Earth, but also collects data about the sun. What happens on the fiery ball at the center of our solar system can be incredibly disruptive for our modern infrastructure and communications systems. A solar storm could create a major disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field, causing large-scale blackouts and power outages. It could even endanger our astronauts in space. As early as September 1859, an intense geomagnetic storm, dubbed the Carrington Event, caused fires in telegraph stations. Today, everything from satellites and aviation to smartphones and power grids might be taken down.

Lloyd’s of London, the world’s leading insurance market, published some risk scenarios in March 2025. It calculated that the global economy could be exposed to losses of $2.4 trillion over a five-year period from a hypothetical solar storm. North America and Europe would be the most severely impacted. Juan Bernabe-Moreno, Director of IBM Research Europe, UK, and Ireland, explains the importance of Surya:

“Just as we work to prepare for hazardous weather events, we need to do the same for solar storms. Surya gives us unprecedented capability to anticipate what’s coming and is not just a technological achievement, but a critical step toward protecting our technological civilization from the star that sustains us.”