Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) methods are becoming increasingly important in both science and society. In climate science - where complex biophysical and societal processes interact across diverse temporal and spatial scales, and datasets are often large, heterogenous and incomplete - AI and ML methods offer new powerful solutions.
Join us for the next session of the IIASA-wide seminar series, AI for Climate Science - this time jointly with IIASA's SYRR Risk & Resilience Hub!
We are excited to jointly host the last 2025 edition. In this joint seminar, Rob Wilby (Loughborough University) will talk to us about the use of LLM's like ChatGPT in climate risk assessments.
Title:
Can ChatGPT do my climate job?
Abstract:
Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are entering all areas of personal and professional life – so why not in supporting efforts to adapt to climate change? This talk illustrates various ways in which ChatGPT can help scope climate risks and adaptation options at local, sector and national scales. Examples are drawn from Ghana, Bangladesh and the UK to compare the results from ChatGPT with those based on researcher-practitioner experience. A key insight is that – as with climate projections – an ensemble of ChatGPT outputs is needed to characterise the range of answers to a given question. The talk closes with a proposed checklist for the robust and responsible use of LLMs in allocating potentially billions of dollars of finance to adaptation projects.
About the speaker:
Rob Wilby is a Professor of Hydroclimatic Modelling in the Department of Geography and Environment at Loughborough University. He is also a self-employed researcher-practitioner. His work focuses on managing climate risks to freshwater systems and urban environments. He co-developed the Statistical DownScaling Model (SDSM) – a public domain scenario tool that has been used for climate impact assessments globally. Recent projects include climate risk and adaptation assessments for agriculture, water resources, flooding, air quality, and urban heat stress. This work has taken him to Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Ghana, Laos, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Serbia.
For online participation, a registration is necessary.
Please note that the seminar is going to be recorded.
The monthly seminar AI for Climate Science at IIASA will feature global experts in the field of AI and ML who will showcase the newest methodological advancements and applications in the field. Through a series of invited talks, the seminar showcases cutting edge research with the aim of strengthening AI and ML expertise at IIASA and to foster external collaborations. Additionally, it serves as an institute-wide platform for discussions and knowledge exchange across programs and working groups to spark new ideas and innovations.
As an initiative from the ECE/ ICI Theme on Extreme Weather and Climate Dynamics, this seminar is designed for both experts already integrating AI and ML into their workflows and those eager to expand their knowledge in these fields.
Upcoming Events
Online (closed expert workshop)
Expert workshop on food waste emissions methodologies and MRV systems
Heiligenblut am Großglockner, Austria
Forum Anthropozän 2026: IIASA Director General to deliver keynote on the “Good Anthropocene”
Hybrid: online and at the Austrian Academy of Sciences
Public lecture: Digitalization and AI within planetary boundaries
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand