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NZ-based AI system to predict the future

Yep, that's right. Right here in New Zealand, experts are setting up an AI-based supercomputer that is designed to predict the future.

That sounds pretty sci-fi but it's 100 percent true.

In fact, predicting the future seems to be one area where the power of AI can be effectively harnessed without fear or risk.

The best thing is that all New Zealanders will be better off as a result of this new supercomputer system and the AI algorithms it will use when coming up with its predictions.

Of course the value of a prediction is fairly proportional to the degree at which it can peer into the future.

A system that can look a week ahead is far more valuable than one which sees only minutes, hours or a day ahead.

Those building the new system claim that it will give accurate predictions by offering a glimpse of the future up to five days ahead of time.

So what is this system and how does it work?

What are the benefits this will bring to our economy and the people of New Zealand.

Okay, in case you hadn't figured it out already, I'm talking about this.

See, I wasn't lying, this really is a computer designed to see into the future and predict what is going to happen up to five days ahead of time.

I hope you weren't thinking this was going to be something that would give you an edge when picking your lotto numbers for tonight's draw -- were you?

In a nation that places high reliance on primary production for its economy, the benefits of more accurate forecasting are very clear to see. Likewise, for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors or needs to schedule activities so as to avoid environmental events such as rain or strong wind, an accurate forecast is invaluable.

Although we've had traditional super-computer based weather forecasting for quite some time, throwing AI into the mix has the potential to significantly increase the accuracy of those forecasts. Neural networks have an uncanny capability of spotting patterns and joining dots in a way that enable historical data to be the catalyst for more accurate predictions of future weather events.

As someone who keeps a "weather eye" (ugh... dad-joke) on forecasting, I'll be very interested to observe just what effect this new system has on the accuracy of multi-day forecasting. Right now our ability to look beyond a day or two is signicantly limited at certain times of the year.

Weather, although often driven by predicable patterns, can sometimes be chaotic with even a small deviation from forecasts that are a day ahead leading to massive inaccuracies a little further out. Hopefully AI can reduce the scope and frequency of such inaccuracies so we'll be better off as the result of this new system.

Carpe Diem folks!

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