Being proactive about anthropogenic changes: Augmenting students’ decision making with AI technology

Keywords: Preferable future, evaluation, GeoAI, education for sustainable development
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 2

Abstract

Decision-makers are challenged by the inherent complexity and dynamic nature of human-induced changes when dealing with environmental issues. The process of thinking about the future and developing a ‘proactive strategy’ can better inform sustainability decision-making in the present. The use of AI-based models enables us to uncover future trends, such as predicting the areas most likely to be subject to deforestation, or to evaluate long term impacts of actions in a series of scenarios. Therefore, we propose the application of AI technology in environmental education as a means of conceiving options for the future and assessing these options for alternative plans. Pedagogical ideas and learning activities are illustrated to reveal how online platforms that combine geospatial technology and AI-based methods can enable high school learners to be more proactive in regard to anthropogenic environmental changes.