AI as a Catalyst in Entomological Research by Simplifying Species Identification

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping our understanding of the natural world, bringing transformative changes to entomology and biodiversity studies. The emergence of user-friendly AI-driven applications, recognizable in daily life through tools that identify various species from images or sounds, marks a new era in entomological research. These advancements facilitate research by citizen scientists and professionals alike by simplifying species identification. However, the potential of AI extends far beyond the familiar terrains of the global North, where it has predominantly been utilized due to earlier access to advanced technologies. In this presentation, we delve into how AI, synergized with innovative and cost-effective technologies like DIY microscopes, is breaking barriers in biodiversity research, especially in resource-limited settings. This novel approach empowers researchers to efficiently assess species diversity, abundance, and biomass, offering faster and more cost-effective ways to understand ecological patterns and change. Our discussion also includes a specific focus on the application of these AI techniques for analyzing bulk samples from pan-traps and Malaise traps, highlighting their utility in classifying the most common species encountered in these traps. ... mehrAdditionally, at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, we are collaborating with colleagues from the Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery at the Natural History Museum Berlin to address biological problems with AI methods and engineering tools. Overall, our discussion aims to illuminate the broad capabilities of AI in entomology, underscoring its role as a pivotal tool in global biodiversity conservation and study.