AI and bionic eyes are helping to contain raging wildfires

Emergency personnel working to extinguish a wildfire near Cardigos village, central Portugal on July 21, 2019. In 2019, weather and climate events killed more than 4,000 people worldwide, and caused around US$42bil (RM175.37bil) in insured losses, according to the insurer Munich Re. — AP

On a tower in the Brazilian rainforest, a sentinel scans the horizon for the first signs of fire.

Only these eyes aren’t human. They don’t blink or take breaks, and guided by artificial intelligence they can tell the difference between a dust cloud, an insect swarm and a plume of smoke that demands quick attention. In Brazil, the devices help keep mining giant Vale SA working, and protect trees for pulp and paper producer Suzano SA.