IFIS with Voice Recognition and Artificial Intelligence

Sponsor/grant agency:

Microsoft “AI for Earth” Program

Team:

Ibrahim Demir

Microsoft "AI for Earth" Program

A Microsoft grant providing tools & resources

201718

Project Period

Midwest / Iowa

Location

Partners:

Iowa Flood Center

Services provided by IFC:

Ibrahim Demir is an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering who also leads a hydroinformatics lab at IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering (part of the University of Iowa College of Engineering). Demir and his team will develop the “Flood AI.”

“Ibrahim’s work is part of the foundation of the Iowa Flood Center’s service to Iowans,” says IFC Director Witold Krajewski. “He is the chief architect of the Iowa Flood Information System, which puts the IFC’s innovative flood-related tools and information in the hands of all Iowans.”

Project Description:

In 2017, Microsoft awarded Ibrahim Demir of the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) a grant as part of its “AI for Earth” program. Demir will use the award to develop “Flood AI,” an artificial intelligence system that serves as a virtual flood expert (similar to Siri). Flood AI is accessible through many smart devices, including smartphones, chat applications

such as Skype, smart home appliances, and more. Users can ask Flood AI any flood- or weather-related question and get a quick answer, 24 hours a day.

Demir is among the first recipients for AI for Earth, which launched in July 2017 after a competitive and selective grant process. Microsoft awarded the grants in recognition of the potential of the work and power of AI to accelerate progress.