Checking an utomatic weather station (Photo: VNA)Hoang Duc Cuong, deputy director general of the Vietnam Meteorological andHydrological Administration (VNMHA), said AI relates to computer science andinformation technology. Humans make the nature of AI. They build algorithmsprogrammed with information technology software tools, helping computers tohandle intelligent behaviours like humans automatically.
The application of historical data and AI has created products. For example, hesaid that the trend of AI applications created positive results in the field ofhydrometeorology.
He said the AI application in hydrometeorology is a trend, helping improve theefficiency of weather forecasting.
The VNMHA has built a shared digital platform for the Ministry of NaturalResources and Environment, including a data integration system based on bigdata, especially the AI application in identification to solve specificproblems for hydrometeorological monitoring and forecasting, he said.
He said that the department is researching AI applications in stormforecasting, heavy rain quantification and flood surge prediction.
Cuong affirmed that AI has been applied widely and replaced many manual jobs,saved labour, and limited some human errors.
He cited the COVID-19 social distancing period in July 2021 as an example.
Much of the time, hydrometeorological officers could not come to the office.Therefore, it was necessary to apply information technology, including AI, tomonitor rain and flood level rain to accomplish the task. Thanks to AI, theweather prediction and monitoring work was completed despite the socialdistancing order.
Tran Quang Nang, deputy director of the Department of HydrometeorologicalForecasting Management, said the AI application helps improve the quality offorecast and hydrometeorological warnings, reducing disaster risks.
Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Centre for Hydro-meteorologicalForecasting, said the centre used big data systems and AI in identifyingupcoming tropical cyclones similar to the ones in the past to map out impactscenarios. AI has also been applied in forecasting extreme short-term rain andflash flood warnings.
Hydrometeorological sector modernized
In early 2021, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued the "NationalStrategy on Research, Development and Application of Artificial Intelligencetowards 2030".
The strategy aims to make artificial intelligence a spearhead technology of thecountry in the fourth industrial revolution, gradually turning Vietnam into abright spot in AI research, development and application in the region and theworld.
AI is also one of the focuses of the digital transformation programme developedby the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The ministry sets a target by 2030 to bring Vietnam's meteorology and hydrologyindustry to the advanced level of Asia.
The VNMHA has studied AI applications in forecasting dangerous weatherconditions and disasters. In the future, a hydrometeorological virtualassistant system that can automatically provide weather information to userswill be developed.
Deputy Director General Hoang Duc Cuong said the AI applications would bringsignificant value, save time in professional activities, and speed upautomation and digitisation of the hydrometeorological industry./.
VNA
