China to boost global early warning with new AI weather project

China has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered weather forecasting demonstration project aimed at strengthening early-warning capabilities for extreme weather in Belt and Road partner countries, Chinese meteorological authorities said on Tuesday.

The project, approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology and led by the Earth system numerical prediction center at China Meteorological Administration (CMA), will build an AI-enabled forecasting system spanning short-term, medium-range and subseasonal timescales.

The program plans to develop five core AI models, including intelligent multi-source observation fusion, nowcasting, and regional downscaling. It will also produce an integrated forecasting device that can be adapted to different local infrastructures.

According to the project team, the initiative includes joint research, data sharing, and on-the-ground demonstrations.

"At least six countries are expected to deploy the system and keep it running for more than six months, with disaster-warning services projected to reach about 10 million people," Han Wei, deputy chief engineer of the Numerical Prediction Center and the project lead, told Chinese media.

The project's AI models will be integrated into MAZU, China's AI-powered multi-hazard early warning system already in use in countries such as Pakistan and Ethiopia.

Nine Chinese institutions and meteorological agencies from five partner countries, including Mongolia, Ethiopia, and Cameroon, are participating in the program, according to the CMA.

The project was officially launched in March.