AI Could Transform Arctic Industry and Conservation, Says Russian Expert

Artificial intelligence is poised to become a critical tool in preserving fragile ecosystems and managing logistics in one of the world’s harshest environments.

Alexander Vorotnikov, a Russian expert and associate professor at RANEPA, believes artificial intelligence could be a game-changer for environmental protection and industrial efficiency in the Arctic. In an interview with «Time for the Arctic», he emphasized that AI can mitigate the environmental impact of human activity, optimize resource usage, and help detect ecological threats early.

Key areas for AI implementation include pollution monitoring, tracking endangered animal populations, forecasting extreme weather events, and improving transportation routes. In practice, machine learning is already being used to analyze acoustic and video data to protect marine mammals like whales and seals. Algorithms also support lower greenhouse gas emissions by making logistics and energy use more efficient.

However, deploying AI in the Arctic comes with serious challenges—chief among them, poor connectivity. Reliable telecommunications infrastructure, including satellite networks and localized systems, is essential for these technologies to function effectively in remote areas. Still, Vorotnikov maintains that the potential of AI in the Arctic remains immense.