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Perth Now
11 minutes ago
- Perth Now
AI-powered, heat-seeking satellites target Aussie fires
A cluster of bushfires in a remote part of the Northern Territory is helping an international research team monitor natural disasters using satellites and artificial intelligence. The fires, detected at Borroloola on the McArthur River, are among the first to be captured by the Earth Fire Alliance's FireSat Protoflight satellite, with images released this week. But scientists behind the effort say it may take the launch of another three satellites, scheduled for next year, to create bushfire modelling and more accurately predict where and how fires spread. The non-profit alliance, which has partnered with Google Research and Muon Space, aims to deliver bushfire detection and monitoring using satellites and AI software, and provide data to emergency services and scientists in near real time. The group's first satellite launched in March and international relations lead Dr Karen O'Connor said the first four publicly released images captured by infra-red cameras demonstrated its potential. "We're just starting to get our first glimpses of how this system is going to really provide unparalleled information on fires to support fire agencies and protect communities," she said. "Those of us who live in Australia will know all too well the devastating impact of bushfires." The satellite images include a collection of active fires in the Northern Territory, a minor, roadside fire detected in the US state of Oregon, and bushfires in Ontario, Canada, where the camera was able to distinguish between an active fire and burn scars on the land. Using high-resolution cameras, the satellite could detect fires about the size of a classroom, Dr O'Connor said, and with a full constellation of 50 satellites, it would be able to monitor a fire's progress every 20 minutes. An additional three satellites are planned for launch in the second half of 2026. "We will be working closely with early adopters, including agencies across five Australian states and territories," Dr O'Connor said. Agencies participating in the program include the Tasmania Fire Service, the Queensland Fire Department, and the South Australian Country Fire Service. NSW Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Peter McKechnie said firefighters were grateful to be consulted in the development of the system and were almost "impatient" to use the technology when it could reliably detect, monitor and predict the path of bushfires. "The whole team is excited about this," he said. "This is taking us to a pathway of being able to ingest that information straight into our dispatch systems and dispatch resources based on what is detected." Being able to monitor the spread of fires would also help to create advanced fire modelling, Google Research climate and energy lead Chris Van Arsdale said, and could help researchers predict a fire's movement and direct firefighting efforts. "This stream of data will allow scientists to build the next generation (of) predictive models," he said. "It would be great to live in a world where we don't have a high degree of uncertainty from wildfires." The Earth Fire Alliance plans to launch more than 50 satellites and reach full operation by 2030.
9 News
41 minutes ago
- 9 News
'Head in the sand': How Australia needs to 'rethink' AI and work
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Artificial intelligence is making increasing inroads into the Australian workplace, but one education and skills training leader sees it as an opportunity, not a thing to lament. Global education company Pearson's AI modelling division, Faethm, recently found that just three technologies are responsible for 80 per cent of the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce. These include robotic process automation, simple chatbots, and the more complex large-language model (LLM) chatbots. AI is bringing change to the modern workplace. (Getty) And the Faethm data also showed which industries were set to feel the heaviest impacts from AI in the coming three years, namely, professional, scientific, and technical services; financial and insurance services; health and social care; and manufacturing. Pearson Enterprise Learning and Skills Asia Pacific vice president Craig McFarlane said this data revealed a number of truths. "A lot of people have their head in the sand about AI," he said. Craig McFarlane, Pearson APAC vice president. (Pearson) "This is not a head-in-the-sand moment." McFarlane said Pearson's focus was on the skills gaps likely to emerge in the next few years - what workplace activity would become redundant, and, crucially, the new skills that would be required. But he emphasised the potential in AI for improving productivity and offering everybody new opportunities in the workplace. Healthcare is one of the industries most impacted. (Getty) "The first step is around awareness of what this can do and how it can help you," he said. "We tell people go out and experiment with what's out there, have a play - the best way to learn how to do something is by trying it." Fears of job losses linger in the air of many discussions around AI, but McFarlane suggested that was born of a limited perspective. "When (Microsoft) Excel came out, everybody thought it was going to be the death of the accounting sector - this magic program could do it all for you," he said. "But I mean, accountancy is stronger than ever. Industries pivot." What will change as AI becomes ever more ingrained, however, is peoples' roles in their respective workplace. AI is likely to fill workplace needs for process-based tasks, such as administration and support - McFarlane estimates he can save up to a day going through post-holiday emails now compared to three years ago. "The data shows which early-career industries could be most affected as well," he said. "We have to rethink how we prepare young people for the workforce." Artificial Intelligence jobs work workplace Australia national Tech CONTACT US Auto news: Why Australians are still driving around without insurance.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Why BlueFloat's demise is just the beginning, not the end of offshore wind
The news that Spanish energy company BlueFloat bailed on its $10 billion Gippsland offshore wind proposal, has triggered a chorus of people (mostly anti-offshore wind proponents) heralding the end of the industry before it's even begun. Although I don't know about the particulars of BlueFloat's exact situation, which also impacted plans for the Illawarra, as an offshore wind consultant I do know a lot about the process of getting these projects up generally. That's why I can confidently say this actually is just the beginning. This is a new industry for Australia and whenever you do something new for the first time it's like making a pancake, the first one is never quite perfect. Energy-intensive industries like minerals mining and metals manufacturing will be the big winners from offshore wind. There is a reason these industries are co-located with coal-fired power stations historically, and why the offshore wind zones have been designated in these same regions - Gippsland, Illawarra, Hunter. With offshore wind, Australia is looking to capitalise on the growing global demand for green metals. For the Illawarra, that's steel made with renewable energy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to host a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers during his visit to China last week shows that our leaders are attuned to the economic potential of green metals. Why green metals? Europe, with Asia soon to follow, has introduced a "carbon border adjustment mechanism" which acts as a tax on polluting industries. What this means is the high-pollution products we currently export will become uncompetitive in the next 10 to 20 years. To replace those export losses, Australia needs to adapt and focus on producing green exports. Our customers are changing their habits, so we must change our offerings. If you owned a doughnut shop and all your customers started demanding cream-filled rather than jam-filled doughnuts you wouldn't keep pushing jam-filled doughnuts. You would switch to cream-filled, otherwise you'd go out of business. So how exactly do we get from here to there? Well there are three main hoops that developers need to jump through to make it happen: The Australian offshore wind market has some unique conditions, for example in the Illawarra it means floating wind technology is needed which is still relatively new. Therefore it's OK to have some delays - it allows Europe and Asia to make the mistakes for us to learn from, and bring industrial costs down for us. But Australia can't afford to wait too long as our polluting exports become less and less viable, we need to pivot to green exports to secure the long-lasting careers that keep communities together. Offshore wind is not just about meeting current energy needs, it will offer export stability; giving local kids the chance to build a life in the place they grew up and earn good money without leaving the region they love. That's why strong community engagement and clear support from both the federal and state government - via an offtake auction pathway - is so important. The news that Spanish energy company BlueFloat bailed on its $10 billion Gippsland offshore wind proposal, has triggered a chorus of people (mostly anti-offshore wind proponents) heralding the end of the industry before it's even begun. Although I don't know about the particulars of BlueFloat's exact situation, which also impacted plans for the Illawarra, as an offshore wind consultant I do know a lot about the process of getting these projects up generally. That's why I can confidently say this actually is just the beginning. This is a new industry for Australia and whenever you do something new for the first time it's like making a pancake, the first one is never quite perfect. Energy-intensive industries like minerals mining and metals manufacturing will be the big winners from offshore wind. There is a reason these industries are co-located with coal-fired power stations historically, and why the offshore wind zones have been designated in these same regions - Gippsland, Illawarra, Hunter. With offshore wind, Australia is looking to capitalise on the growing global demand for green metals. For the Illawarra, that's steel made with renewable energy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to host a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers during his visit to China last week shows that our leaders are attuned to the economic potential of green metals. Why green metals? Europe, with Asia soon to follow, has introduced a "carbon border adjustment mechanism" which acts as a tax on polluting industries. What this means is the high-pollution products we currently export will become uncompetitive in the next 10 to 20 years. To replace those export losses, Australia needs to adapt and focus on producing green exports. Our customers are changing their habits, so we must change our offerings. If you owned a doughnut shop and all your customers started demanding cream-filled rather than jam-filled doughnuts you wouldn't keep pushing jam-filled doughnuts. You would switch to cream-filled, otherwise you'd go out of business. So how exactly do we get from here to there? Well there are three main hoops that developers need to jump through to make it happen: The Australian offshore wind market has some unique conditions, for example in the Illawarra it means floating wind technology is needed which is still relatively new. Therefore it's OK to have some delays - it allows Europe and Asia to make the mistakes for us to learn from, and bring industrial costs down for us. But Australia can't afford to wait too long as our polluting exports become less and less viable, we need to pivot to green exports to secure the long-lasting careers that keep communities together. Offshore wind is not just about meeting current energy needs, it will offer export stability; giving local kids the chance to build a life in the place they grew up and earn good money without leaving the region they love. That's why strong community engagement and clear support from both the federal and state government - via an offtake auction pathway - is so important. The news that Spanish energy company BlueFloat bailed on its $10 billion Gippsland offshore wind proposal, has triggered a chorus of people (mostly anti-offshore wind proponents) heralding the end of the industry before it's even begun. Although I don't know about the particulars of BlueFloat's exact situation, which also impacted plans for the Illawarra, as an offshore wind consultant I do know a lot about the process of getting these projects up generally. That's why I can confidently say this actually is just the beginning. This is a new industry for Australia and whenever you do something new for the first time it's like making a pancake, the first one is never quite perfect. Energy-intensive industries like minerals mining and metals manufacturing will be the big winners from offshore wind. There is a reason these industries are co-located with coal-fired power stations historically, and why the offshore wind zones have been designated in these same regions - Gippsland, Illawarra, Hunter. With offshore wind, Australia is looking to capitalise on the growing global demand for green metals. For the Illawarra, that's steel made with renewable energy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to host a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers during his visit to China last week shows that our leaders are attuned to the economic potential of green metals. Why green metals? Europe, with Asia soon to follow, has introduced a "carbon border adjustment mechanism" which acts as a tax on polluting industries. What this means is the high-pollution products we currently export will become uncompetitive in the next 10 to 20 years. To replace those export losses, Australia needs to adapt and focus on producing green exports. Our customers are changing their habits, so we must change our offerings. If you owned a doughnut shop and all your customers started demanding cream-filled rather than jam-filled doughnuts you wouldn't keep pushing jam-filled doughnuts. You would switch to cream-filled, otherwise you'd go out of business. So how exactly do we get from here to there? Well there are three main hoops that developers need to jump through to make it happen: The Australian offshore wind market has some unique conditions, for example in the Illawarra it means floating wind technology is needed which is still relatively new. Therefore it's OK to have some delays - it allows Europe and Asia to make the mistakes for us to learn from, and bring industrial costs down for us. But Australia can't afford to wait too long as our polluting exports become less and less viable, we need to pivot to green exports to secure the long-lasting careers that keep communities together. Offshore wind is not just about meeting current energy needs, it will offer export stability; giving local kids the chance to build a life in the place they grew up and earn good money without leaving the region they love. That's why strong community engagement and clear support from both the federal and state government - via an offtake auction pathway - is so important. The news that Spanish energy company BlueFloat bailed on its $10 billion Gippsland offshore wind proposal, has triggered a chorus of people (mostly anti-offshore wind proponents) heralding the end of the industry before it's even begun. Although I don't know about the particulars of BlueFloat's exact situation, which also impacted plans for the Illawarra, as an offshore wind consultant I do know a lot about the process of getting these projects up generally. That's why I can confidently say this actually is just the beginning. This is a new industry for Australia and whenever you do something new for the first time it's like making a pancake, the first one is never quite perfect. Energy-intensive industries like minerals mining and metals manufacturing will be the big winners from offshore wind. There is a reason these industries are co-located with coal-fired power stations historically, and why the offshore wind zones have been designated in these same regions - Gippsland, Illawarra, Hunter. With offshore wind, Australia is looking to capitalise on the growing global demand for green metals. For the Illawarra, that's steel made with renewable energy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to host a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers during his visit to China last week shows that our leaders are attuned to the economic potential of green metals. Why green metals? Europe, with Asia soon to follow, has introduced a "carbon border adjustment mechanism" which acts as a tax on polluting industries. What this means is the high-pollution products we currently export will become uncompetitive in the next 10 to 20 years. To replace those export losses, Australia needs to adapt and focus on producing green exports. Our customers are changing their habits, so we must change our offerings. If you owned a doughnut shop and all your customers started demanding cream-filled rather than jam-filled doughnuts you wouldn't keep pushing jam-filled doughnuts. You would switch to cream-filled, otherwise you'd go out of business. So how exactly do we get from here to there? Well there are three main hoops that developers need to jump through to make it happen: The Australian offshore wind market has some unique conditions, for example in the Illawarra it means floating wind technology is needed which is still relatively new. Therefore it's OK to have some delays - it allows Europe and Asia to make the mistakes for us to learn from, and bring industrial costs down for us. But Australia can't afford to wait too long as our polluting exports become less and less viable, we need to pivot to green exports to secure the long-lasting careers that keep communities together. Offshore wind is not just about meeting current energy needs, it will offer export stability; giving local kids the chance to build a life in the place they grew up and earn good money without leaving the region they love. That's why strong community engagement and clear support from both the federal and state government - via an offtake auction pathway - is so important.
