Swiss unis develop population density tool to help humanitarian work
Researchers from Switzerland’s top two universities have developed a precision AI tool to estimate population density in countries where the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is active.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA
Português
pt
Suíça desenvolve ferramenta de densidade populacional para ajudar trabalho humanitário
The tool was developed to help the ICRC in regions which only have out-of-date or fast-changing census statistics, the Swiss Federal Technology Institute Lausanne (EPFL) wrote on MondayExternal link.
EPFL researchers, along with scientists from the Federal Technology Institute ETH Zurich and Qatar’s Bin Khalifa University, thus worked on an artificial intelligence tool which can estimate population density and help reconstruction or crisis management efforts.
The programme – as outlined in the Scientific ReportsExternal link journal – uses data gleaned via remote sensing concerning factors like building density and size, road network density, and levels of lighting at night.
More
More
Anticipating future technologies for humanity’s well-being
This content was published on
A Geneva-based foundation has launched a tool that maps out future scientific breakthroughs to help decision-makers and civil society.
The tool, called Pomelo, was tested in several African countries where the ICRC works, such as Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. It has been able to precisely estimate population density in areas as small as a hectare.
“There are a few other artificial-intelligence-based programs out there, but they all need a precise census count to start learning, which they then refine with other data. We only need an estimate of the population at the coarse regional level,” said Prof. Devis Tuia, head of EPFL’s Environmental Computational Science and Earth Observation Laboratory.
The researchers are planning to release an easy-to-use version of the software for non-experts by April 2023.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
How AI helps children with cleft lip and palate
This content was published on
In many countries, families of children born with a cleft lip or palate struggle to pay for treatment. Swiss researchers have developed a way to help.
The human right to science takes centre stage in Geneva
This content was published on
The second edition of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator Summit kicks off today. The event looks at promoting science as a universal good.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.