The World Meteorological Organization and UAE’s National Center of Meteorology brought together over 50 international experts in Abu Dhabi to chart how artificial intelligence will transform weather prediction while ensuring benefits reach all countries equitably, according to WMO news. The three-day conference from September 9-11 included representatives from major tech companies like Google, IBM, Microsoft, and NVIDIA alongside meteorological services and academic institutions. Participants stressed the need for shared data, open tools, and coordinated benchmarks to make AI weather systems trustworthy and accessible worldwide.
AI has moved rapidly from research labs into practical weather forecasting over the past three years, fundamentally changing how meteorologists work. The technology shows particular promise for early warning systems that save lives during extreme weather events. However, experts warned that AI still struggles with localized high-impact events and needs more development before widespread deployment.
WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett emphasized the urgency of adopting AI-powered weather intelligence. “We must harness the power of prediction. We must adopt AI-powered weather and climate intelligence into every early warning and decision-making system—because lives depend on it,” she said. The conference statement called for investment in capacity building and pilot projects while respecting the authoritative role of national weather services.
WMO is already testing AI applications through pilot projects in Nigeria, Vietnam, Uruguay, Czech Republic, and Malawi for flood forecasting. The organization also supports AI-based sub-seasonal forecasting in Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific regions. Regional Climate Centres are applying machine learning tools with private sector partners across three continents.
The conference conclusions will guide discussions at WMO’s Extraordinary Congress in October, where members will consider formal AI integration policies for global meteorological services.
