AI IN SUSTAINABILITY
FastNet is an experimental global weather prediction system based on machine learning, using a graph neural network architecture to model atmospheric patterns. Unlike physics‐based numerical models, which simulate the atmosphere from first principles, FastNet learns relationships directly from large volumes of historical and simulated data.“ The FastNet model is an experimental global AI‐based weather forecast,” Kirstine explains.“ It’ s completely different to the physics‐based models we’ ve used traditionally.”
Early results show FastNet is now competitive with the leading machine learning weather models globally, despite starting from scratch just a few years ago. On internal benchmarking charts, FastNet now sits firmly in the leading pack, a visible symbol of how quickly public sector science can adapt.
“ This shows just how far we’ ve come and how agile and innovative the public sector has had to be,” Kirstine says.
Crucially, AI models such as FastNet are not only accurate but computationally far lighter than full‐scale physics simulations.
“AI MODELS ARE NOT JUST
SLIGHTLY FASTER – THEY’ RE TENS
OF THOUSANDS OF TIMES FASTER THAN PHYSICS‐ BASED MODELS”
Kirstine Dale, Chief AI Officer, Met Office sustainabilitymag. com
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