Amazon, the tech giant, has declared that it will employ artificial intelligence to mitigate flood risks in the northeastern region of Aragon in Spain, where it is currently constructing data centers. The announcement was made on Monday in Madrid. Earlier in May, Amazon’s cloud computing division, AWS, had revealed its intention to invest a substantial 15.7 billion euros ($17.02 billion) in establishing data centers in Aragon to enhance its cloud infrastructure significantly.
On Monday, AWS disclosed its plan to allocate 17.2 million euros ($17.9 million) towards reducing flood risks in the region. This initiative involves the modernization of infrastructure and the utilization of AI technology to optimize agricultural water usage. The decision to channel funds towards flood prevention comes in the wake of the catastrophic floods that wreaked havoc in various areas surrounding Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, four months ago.
Aragon, traversed by Spain’s highest-flow river, the Ebro, on its way to the Mediterranean delta in Catalonia, is notorious for its susceptibility to flooding. Amazon intends to leverage cutting-edge cloud computing solutions to implement an early warning system. This system will integrate real-time data collection, advanced sensor networks, and AI-driven analysis to enable the capital city of Zaragoza in Aragon to monitor flood risks effectively.
By monitoring weather patterns and water levels, the platform aims to furnish emergency services with prompt alerts regarding potential floods. In response to the floods that occurred in 2023, local authorities in Zaragoza have commenced the construction of flood defenses at the Barranco de la Muerte, also known as Death Ravine.
The endeavor undertaken by Amazon underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging technology for the greater good and aiding communities in managing environmental risks effectively. ($1 = 0.9615 euros) (Reporting by Emma Pinedo; Editing by Ros Russell)
