AI Technology Will Help Protect the Health of Russia’s Polar Explorers
Neural networks are being introduced into Arctic expeditions to monitor both physical well-being and psychological resilience in extreme environments.
Neural networks are now being used to track the physical condition and mental state of participants in Arctic expeditions.
Russia has begun applying artificial intelligence technologies to monitor the psychophysiological condition of people working in the Arctic. As reported at the XV International Forum “The Arctic: Present and Future,” modern digital tools are already used in expeditions organized by the student corps “Arctic Team.” Computer-based monitoring makes it possible to more accurately assess the physical strain experienced during long treks and fieldwork in harsh weather conditions.
Algorithms Append Traditional Instruments
The system integrates AI algorithms with specialized devices, including neurointerfaces. It collects data during exposure to cold, physical exertion, and social isolation, then analyzes it in real time. According to Andrey Rybnikov, senior lecturer at RTU MIREA, AI helps identify patterns difficult to notice through traditional observation — including changes in attention levels and signs of emotional instability.
The collected data allows expedition staff to detect early symptoms of fatigue and adjust work-rest schedules accordingly. Decisions are, of course, made by humans. All of this helps reduce health risks for expedition members. Similar machine-learning algorithms are already used in the Arctic for purely research tasks such as measuring ice thickness, analyzing shoreline topography, and tracking iceberg migration.
In addition, AI supports route planning in polar regions, choosing optimal points for deploying sensors, and adjusting drone flights in real time when weather conditions change abruptly. In the North — where any mistake can create additional danger — AI enables faster data processing and more informed decision-making.
Forum participants unanimously agreed that further development of AI technologies will improve expedition safety and make work in the Arctic more predictable and manageable.
