Google bot spots spreading starfish 20 times better than humans
Brisbane Times, Other, 16/05/2022, Stuart Layt
Australian scientists have partnered with global tech giant Google to develop machine learning that can spot crown-of-thorns starfish hiding in plain sight on the Great Barrier Reef. The distinctive species is a well-known problem for the reef, as they eat coral and multiply rapidly, causing widespread devastation. Scientists constantly monitor for signs of a crown-of-thorns outbreak, but CSIRO marine ecologist Dr Russ Babcock said up until recently, the survey process was simple and low-tech.