Leading scientists from Italy and India are meeting in Pune to advance climate modeling and research using AI, improve predictive capabilities, and develop innovative solutions for climate resilience. This workshop, jointly organized by the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, aims to strengthen collaborations among research institutions and global leaders in climate research and machine learning applications.

Pune, India — The international workshop on Machine Learning in Climate, Weather, and Ocean brings together leading scientists from both nations to strengthen collaborations in applying machine learning (ML) to climate science, meteorology, and oceanography. Organized by the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the event also involves scientists from Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) and the Italian National Center for Research (CNR). It serves as a milestone in fostering interdisciplinary research between Italy and India to enhance predictive capabilities and develop innovative approaches to weather and climate.

CMCC scientists, including President Antonio Navarra, Paola Mercogliano, head of the Italian delegation, Italo Epicoco, Paola Nassisi, Ronan McAdam, Giovanni Coppini, and Ilenia Manco, are actively contributing to the discussions. They are focusing on key areas where ML can revolutionize climate and ocean modeling, extreme weather forecasting, and impact assessment.

The Indian team includes Director R. Krishnan and scientists from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune Dr. Swapna, Sabin, Ayantika Dey, Rajib, Thara, Pawar, Deepesh Kumar Jain, Bipin Kumar, Sandeep, Umakanth, Vinu Valsala and representatives from MoES institutions and several scientists, early career researchers and PhD students from India, actively participated in the workshop.

Advancing climate science through AI

Italy and India have established themselves as global leaders in climate research and ML applications. CMCC’s expertise in earth system modeling, ocean forecasting, and climate projections, coupled with Indian researchers’ advancements in monsoon prediction, ocean circulation studies, and AI-driven environmental analysis, creates a unique synergy for scientific innovation.

The workshop aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and networking among ML, climate science, and oceanography experts. It will also identify key areas where ML can significantly improve climate models, weather prediction systems, and ocean monitoring tools. The workshop will initiate collaborative research projects and foster institutional partnerships between Italy and India. It will also address challenges related to data sharing, model interpretability, and ethical considerations in AI-driven climate research.

Key areas for innovating climate modeling and research

The workshop is structured around several pivotal themes, focusing on integrating machine learning in climate science, weather forecasting, and ocean monitoring. One key discussion area is climate modeling and prediction, where ML is used to enhance long-term climate projections and impact assessments. Another critical theme addresses weather and monsoon forecasting and extreme events, exploring AI-driven approaches for early warning systems and predicting severe weather conditions. The workshop also delves into ocean forecasting and monitoring, leveraging ML techniques to improve ocean state estimation, support marine ecosystem monitoring, and advance conservation efforts.

Strengthening international cooperation

The workshop will pave the way for future Italy-India collaborations, such as establishing joint working groups, developing a framework for data and knowledge sharing, and drafting a white paper outlining the role of ML in climate science. Additionally, exchange programs for students and researchers and joint funding proposals are also part of the discussion.

“I look forward to building a robust partnership with our Indian colleagues. By pooling our expertise in weather, climate, and ocean science, we can collectively address the pressing global challenges we face today. While this phase of rapid scientific evolution presents both challenges and opportunities, it also presents the chance to expand our knowledge base and develop novel applications”, says CMCC President Antonio Navarra.

“I am happy to note that the deliberations during the workshop, which included keynote speeches, technical sessions, and interactive discussions, were very productive and ensured a dynamic exchange of ideas to drive future climate science innovations. Plans for follow-up activities, especially on AI-ML applications in weather, climate, and ocean sciences, include virtual collaborations, joint research projects, and future annual workshops alternating between India and Italy. I look forward to a productive research partnership with our Italian colleagues in the coming years”, says IITM Director R. Krishnan.