US lawmakers look to AI to detect wildfires earlier

A bill is being introduced in the Colorado Legislature to create a US$2-million pilot program to use cameras likely equipped with artificial intelligence technology in high-risk areas to help identify fires before they can burn out of control. — AP Photo/David Zalubowski

DENVER: A year after the most destructive wildfire in the state's history scorched nearly 1,100 homes, Colorado lawmakers are considering joining other Western states by adopting artificial intelligence in the hopes of detecting blazes before they burn out of control.

A proposal that legislators will discuss in a hearing Thursday would create a US$2mil (RM8.4mil) pilot program to mount cameras on mountaintops in high-risk locations. An artificial intelligence program developed by a private company would analyze the images and sounds from cameras with 10-mile (about 16km) radiuses with the aim of detecting something that could signal the start of a blaze.