How we’re using AI to help cities tackle extreme heat

It's looking like 2024 might just break the record for the hottest year yet, surpassing 2023. This trend is particularly tough on folks living in urban heat islands—those spots in cities where concrete and asphalt soak up the sun's rays and then radiate the heat right back out. These areas can warm up at twice the rate of the global average, hitting vulnerable groups like the elderly, kids, and those with chronic illnesses the hardest. To put it in perspective, heat-related deaths for those over 65 jumped by about 85% from 2017 to 2021.

To combat this growing issue and keep our cities livable, Google Research is ramping up its efforts with AI to develop tools that tackle extreme heat head-on. Our latest innovation, the Heat Resilience tool, harnesses AI to analyze satellite and aerial images, helping cities figure out the best ways to cool down their streets. We're talking about practical solutions like planting more trees and using cool roofs that reflect sunlight rather than absorb it.

A New AI Tool for Smarter Urban Planning

Having hard data is key for cities wanting to pinpoint their hottest and most at-risk neighborhoods. Our new tool uses AI to do just that, taking into account local factors like the amount of greenery or how reflective a city's roofs are. This detailed analysis allows urban planners and local governments to see exactly where cooling strategies will have the most impact, right down to specific neighborhoods. We're currently testing this tool in 14 U.S. cities, helping officials figure out which areas need the most help and crafting plans to manage rising temperatures.

We've already seen some amazing results from using AI to guide city planning. Take Miami-Dade County, for example, where they're using insights from our Heat Resilience tool to push for policies that encourage developers to build with heat mitigation in mind. And over in Stockton, California, they've been using an earlier version of our tool to scout out potential projects that could help cool down their urban heat islands.

We're excited about the future and eager to collaborate with more cities to refine their cooling strategies. Our goal is to help create safer, healthier, and more sustainable urban environments for everyone.