AccuWeather Sponsors Climate Change Machine Learning Research Competition at University of Toronto

Artificial Intelligence research competition focuses on pressing issues and the intimate connection between science and weather

Artificial Intelligence research competition focuses on pressing issues and the intimate connection between science and weather

AccuWeather Global Weather Center, October 22, 2020 —AccuWeather, provider of the world’s most accurate weather forecasts and warnings, today announced it is a key sponsor of this year’s Project X competition hosted by the University of Toronto’s AI  (U of T AI) program. This year’s event addresses the issue of climate change, prompting participating teams from various universities to problem-solve using machine learning.

The three-month long machine learning research competition kicked off in early September and runs through November 23, when winners will be announced by a panel of researchers and industry experts. An award ceremony will be held in early 2021. A vast field of competitors from more than 30 universities from such prestigious institutions as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University are among this year’s slate of participating teams.

With an overarching focus on climate change, teams also have the option to expand their research to focus more narrowly on the subsections of Infectious Disease, Emissions and Energy Efficiency, and Weather and Natural Disasters. The subsection on Weather and Natural Disasters provides datasets for events ranging from significant earthquakes to global hurricane tracks to global historic tsunamis.

AccuWeather’s sponsorship signifies a continued commitment to encouraging young people to embrace the various, meaningful opportunities leading to careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), including issues related to weather and climate.  Weather and climate events have an annual impact of trillions of dollars on the global economy and remain top concerns of leaders worldwide according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report. 

“AccuWeather is pleased to partner with the University of Toronto in sponsoring this event, which brings together some of the brightest young minds on university campuses to solve for problems that are currently facing the global community,” said Scott Mackaro, Vice President of Science and Innovation at AccuWeather. “Our company represents the nexus of weather, digital media, technology and innovation, embracing cutting-edge methods to help save lives, keep people out of harm’s way and protect property. Our expert meteorologists continue to promote the next generation of STEM careerists, and this sponsorship of Project X is both exciting and personal to everyone at AccuWeather.”

As a sponsor of Project X, AccuWeather reconfirmed its commitment to building awareness around the role that weather plays in impacting people’s lives as well as the importance of the development and mentorship of students interested in pursuing the growing fields, which leverage  technology to advance the science of weather and weather-related issues.

As an organization steeped in science and scientific principles, AccuWeather said it is privileged to use the megaphone of its various media and digital platforms combined with its weather and climate expertise to effect positive outcomes and better, safer and more healthful living through the most accurate weather and climate forecasts, comprehensive reporting and analysis; education and awareness and the continued development of superior products to help people and businesses make better decisions.

Event organizers, team members, as well as the eventual winner will be profiled in AccuWeather’s acclaimed podcast, “Everything Under the Sun,” available wherever podcasts are downloaded.

About AccuWeather, Inc. and AccuWeather.com — AccuWeather, recognized and documented as the most accurate source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, has saved tens of thousands of lives, prevented hundreds of thousands of injuries and tens of billions of dollars in property damage. With global headquarters in State College, PA and other offices around the world, AccuWeather serves more than 1.5 billion people daily to help them plan their lives and get more out of their day through digital media properties, such as AccuWeather.com and mobile, as well as radio, television, newspapers, and the 24/7 AccuWeather Network channel. Additionally, AccuWeather produces and distributes news, weather content, and video for more than 180,000 third-party websites. Among AccuWeather’s many innovative and award-winning features available free to the public are MinuteCast^® Minute by Minute™ forecasts with Superior Accuracy™. Furthermore, AccuWeather serves more than half of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of businesses globally. Dr. Joel N. Myers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, established AccuWeather in 1962 and is considered the “father of modern commercial meteorology.” Dr. Myers, a leading creative thinker and visionary, has been named “the most accurate man in weather” by The New York Times and one of the top entrepreneurs in American history by Entrepreneur’s Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs.

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