Introduction
When disaster strikes, every minute counts. In the aftermath of a flood, finding missing victims quickly is crucial for their survival. While artificial intelligence (AI) has shown promise in various applications, its role in locating missing flood victims is still uncertain. In this article, we’ll explore the limitations of AI in this context and discuss how human intervention can bridge the gap.
AI’s Potential in Flood Search and Rescue
Recent advancements in computer vision and machine learning have enabled drones to rapidly assess damage after hurricanes and wildfires. However, applying these technologies to search for missing persons after a flood is more challenging. The key to successful implementation lies in AI-human collaboration.
Challenges in Developing AI for Flood Victim Search
Flood victims often present a unique set of challenges. Unlike lost hikers or fugitives, they may be obscured, camouflaged, or submerged in water. These visual challenges increase the likelihood of existing classifiers missing victims. Moreover, modern systems have a high error rate, which can lead to false positives and overwhelm search-and-rescue teams.
Where AI Falls Short
While AI can quickly process vast amounts of data, its accuracy in identifying flood victims is limited. If programmed to overestimate the number of candidate locations, AI may produce too many false positives, leading to inefficiencies and potentially putting lives at risk. Human judgment and expertise are essential in verifying the accuracy of AI outputs and prioritizing search efforts.
The Importance of Human Intervention
AI can only provide a starting point for search and rescue operations. Human teams must verify the accuracy of AI outputs and make informed decisions about where to deploy resources. By combining the strengths of AI and human expertise, we can develop a more effective and efficient search strategy.
Conclusion
While AI has the potential to revolutionize disaster response, its limitations in locating missing flood victims are clear. By acknowledging these limitations and incorporating human judgment and expertise into the search process, we can ensure that those affected by floods receive the help they need, when they need it most.
Originally published on https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/why-drones-ai-cant-quickly-locate-missing-flood-victims-1892047
