The international workshop on Machine Learning (ML) in Climate, Weather, and Ocean in Pune, India brought together leading scientists from Italy and India to strengthen collaboration in applying ML to climate science, meteorology, and oceanography.
It served as a “milestone in fostering interdisciplinary research between Italy and India to enhance predictive capabilities and develop innovative approaches to weather and climate,” says Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) President Antonio Navarra.
Italy and India have established themselves as global leaders in climate research and ML applications. CMCC expertise in earth system modelling, ocean forecasting and climate projections, coupled with Indian researchers’ advancements in monsoon prediction, ocean circulation studies, and AI-driven environmental analysis, creates a unique synergy for scientific innovation, he says.
The workshop set out to facilitate knowledge sharing and networking among ML, climate science, and oceanography experts. It will also identified key areas where ML can significantly improve climate models, weather prediction systems, and ocean monitoring tools.
The workshop initiated collaborative research projects and fostered institutional partnerships between Italy and India. It also addressed challenges related to data sharing, model interpretability, and ethical considerations in AI-driven climate research.
The workshop was structured around several pivotal themes, focusing on integrating machine learning in climate science, weather forecasting, and ocean monitoring.
One key discussion area is climate modelling and prediction, where ML is used to enhance long-term climate projections and impact assessments.
Another critical theme addressed weather and monsoon forecasting and extreme events, exploring AI-driven approaches for early warning systems and predicting severe weather conditions.
The workshop also delved into ocean forecasting and monitoring, leveraging ML techniques to improve ocean state estimation, support marine ecosystem monitoring, and advance conservation efforts.
The workshop is expected to pave the way for future Italy-India collaborations, such as establishing joint working groups, developing a framework for data and knowledge sharing, and drafting a white paper outlining the role of ML in climate science.
Additionally, exchange programs for students and researchers and joint funding proposals are also part of the discussion.
“I look forward to building a robust partnership with our Indian colleagues. By pooling our expertise in weather, climate, and ocean science, we can collectively address the pressing global challenges we face today, “says Navarra.
“While this phase of rapid scientific evolution presents both challenges and opportunities, it also presents the chance to expand our knowledge base and develop novel applications.
“I am happy to note that the deliberations during the workshop, which included keynote speeches, technical sessions, and interactive discussions, were very productive and ensured a dynamic exchange of ideas to drive future climate science innovations.
Plans for follow-up activities, especially on AI-ML applications in weather, climate, and ocean sciences, include virtual collaborations, joint research projects, and future annual workshops alternating between India and Italy.
I look forward to a productive research partnership with our Italian colleagues in the coming years”, says Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, (IITM) Director R Krishnan.
CMCC scientists, including Navarra, Paola Mercogliano, head of the Italian delegation, Italo Epicoco, Paola Nassisi, Ronan McAdam, Giovanni Coppini, and Ilenia Manco, actively contributed to the discussions.
They are focused on key areas where ML can revolutionise climate and ocean modeling, extreme weather forecasting, and impact assessment.
The Indian team includes Director R. Krishnan and scientists from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune Dr. Swapna, Sabin, Ayantika Dey, Rajib, Thara, Pawar, Deepesh Kumar Jain, Bipin Kumar, Sandeep, Umakanth, Vinu Valsala and representatives from MoES institutions and several scientists, early career researchers and PhD students from India, actively participated in the workshop.
Fondazione Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici
