Amazon Deploys AI-Powered Flood Prevention System in Spain's Aragon Region
2 Sources
2 Sources
[1]
Amazon unveils AI scheme to tackle flood risks in Spain's Aragon
MADRID, March 3 (Reuters) - Tech giant Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab on Monday said it will use artificial intelligence to reduce flood risks in Spain's northeastern region of Aragon where it is building data centres. Amazon's cloud computing unit AWS announced in May it would invest 15.7 billion euros ($17.02 billion) in data centres in Aragon to significantly expand its cloud infrastructure. AWS said on Monday it planned to spend 17.2 million euros ($17.9 million) to reduce flood risks in the region by modernising infrastructure and using AI to optimise agricultural water use. The investment comes four months after catastrophic floods devastated large areas around Spain's third-biggest city, Valencia. Spain's highest-flow river, the Ebro, crosses Aragon on its way to its Mediterranean delta in Catalonia and the region is prone to flooding. Amazon will use advanced cloud computing technologies to deploy an early warning system that combines real-time data collection with advanced sensor networks and AI-powered analysis to help Aragon's capital city Zaragoza monitor flood risks. The platform will monitor weather conditions and water flow to provide emergency services with advanced warnings of floods. Zaragoza's local authorities are building flood defences at the Barranco de la Muerte or Death Ravine, after floods in 2023. ($1 = 0.9615 euros) Reporting by Emma Pinedo Editing by Ros Russell Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Artificial IntelligenceWater Management
[2]
Amazon unveils AI scheme to tackle flood risks in Spain's Aragon
MADRID (Reuters) - Tech giant Amazon on Monday said it will use artificial intelligence to reduce flood risks in Spain's northeastern region of Aragon where it is building data centres. Amazon's cloud computing unit AWS announced in May it would invest 15.7 billion euros ($17.02 billion) in data centres in Aragon to significantly expand its cloud infrastructure. AWS said on Monday it planned to spend 17.2 million euros ($17.9 million) to reduce flood risks in the region by modernising infrastructure and using AI to optimise agricultural water use. The investment comes four months after catastrophic floods devastated large areas around Spain's third-biggest city, Valencia. Spain's highest-flow river, the Ebro, crosses Aragon on its way to its Mediterranean delta in Catalonia and the region is prone to flooding. Amazon will use advanced cloud computing technologies to deploy an early warning system that combines real-time data collection with advanced sensor networks and AI-powered analysis to help Aragon's capital city Zaragoza monitor flood risks. The platform will monitor weather conditions and water flow to provide emergency services with advanced warnings of floods. Zaragoza's local authorities are building flood defences at the Barranco de la Muerte or Death Ravine, after floods in 2023. ($1 = 0.9615 euros)
Share
Share
Copy Link
Amazon's AWS announces a €17.2 million investment in AI and cloud technology to mitigate flood risks in Aragon, Spain, where it's building new data centers. The initiative includes an early warning system for Zaragoza.
Amazon's AI Initiative to Combat Flood Risks in Aragon
Amazon's cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services (AWS), has unveiled an ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) project aimed at mitigating flood risks in Spain's northeastern region of Aragon. This initiative comes as part of a larger investment in the area, where AWS is currently constructing data centers to expand its cloud infrastructure
1
.Substantial Investment in Flood Prevention
AWS has committed to investing €17.2 million ($17.9 million) specifically for flood risk reduction in Aragon. This investment will focus on modernizing infrastructure and leveraging AI to optimize agricultural water use
2
. The announcement follows a devastating flood that affected large areas around Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, just four months ago, highlighting the urgency of such measures.AI-Powered Early Warning System
At the heart of Amazon's flood prevention strategy is an advanced early warning system that will be deployed in Zaragoza, the capital city of Aragon. This system will utilize:
- Real-time data collection
- Advanced sensor networks
- AI-powered analysis
The platform is designed to monitor weather conditions and water flow, providing emergency services with advanced warnings of potential flood events
1
. This technology aims to enhance the region's ability to predict and respond to flood risks, potentially saving lives and reducing property damage.Aragon's Flood Vulnerability
The Ebro River, Spain's highest-flow river, passes through Aragon on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, making the region particularly susceptible to flooding. The new AI-driven system is expected to play a crucial role in managing this ongoing environmental challenge
2
.Related Stories
Broader Economic Impact
This flood prevention initiative is part of a larger investment by AWS in the Aragon region. In May, the company announced plans to invest €15.7 billion ($17.02 billion) in data centers to significantly expand its cloud infrastructure in the area
1
. This substantial investment underscores the growing importance of both AI and cloud computing in addressing environmental challenges while also driving economic growth.Local Flood Defense Efforts
In parallel with Amazon's AI initiative, local authorities in Zaragoza are taking action to improve flood defenses. Construction is underway on flood protection measures at the Barranco de la Muerte (Death Ravine), following flood events in 2023
2
. These local efforts, combined with Amazon's AI-powered early warning system, represent a comprehensive approach to flood risk management in the region.References
Summarized by
Navi
[2]
Related Stories
Weekly Highlights
1
Anthropic Secures $13B in Funding, Reaching $183B Valuation Amid AI Industry Boom
Business and Economy
2
OpenAI Partners with Broadcom to Develop Custom AI Chips, Challenging Nvidia's Dominance
Technology
3
Tesla Proposes $1 Trillion Pay Package for Elon Musk, Tied to Ambitious AI and Robotics Goals
Business and Economy
Weekly Highlights
Explore today's top stories
Your Daily Dose of Curated AI News
Don’t drown in AI news. We cut through the noise - filtering, ranking and summarizing the most important AI news, breakthroughs and research daily. Spend less time searching for the latest in AI and get straight to action.
