MONTREAL — Municipalities in Quebec’s capital region have recently begun using artificial intelligence to track everything from tree cover to cars -- and even backyard pools.
The Communauté métropolitaine de Québec, which groups Quebec City and its suburbs, says the groundbreaking project will help member municipalities achieve their environmental targets, assess parking availability and monitor urban development. But as more Canadian cities adopt AI tools, experts warn they need to think carefully about how they’re using the technology, and whether the public is fully on board.
The data can be used in different ways. Lafrance said Quebec City and many surrounding municipalities have targets for urban greening and tree cover, and artificial intelligence is a natural tool to measure progress. Conversely, it can also measure how much green space has been converted to asphalt over time.
A new set of aerial photos is being taken this summer, Lafrance said, and he hopes to analyze them this winter. He’s also hoping to apply the technology to photos taken as far back as the mid-20th century to assess how the region has developed over time. The 2021 images are currently available through the provincial government’s open data portal.
Edmonton, for example, has used artificial intelligence as part of a project that uses remote cameras to monitor wildlife entering the city. Montreal and Toronto have experimented with AI to reduce traffic congestion, and Montreal’s transit agency is working on a pilot project to use AI to prevent suicide in the city’s subway system by scanning CCTV footage for signs that someone is in distress.
There are wide-ranging possibilities for municipalities that want to make use of artificial intelligence applied to images. Google has used a combination of aerial images and AI to estimate tree cover in hundreds of cities around the world, including Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Quebec municipalities using artificial intelligence to track tree cover, cars, poolsMONTREAL — Municipalities in Quebec’s capital region have recently begun using artificial intelligence to track everything from tree cover to cars -- and even backyard pools.
Read more »
Quebec municipalities using artificial intelligence to track tree cover, cars, poolsMONTREAL — Municipalities in Quebec’s capital region have recently begun using artificial intelligence to track everything from tree cover to cars -- and even backyard pools.
Read more »
Quebec municipalities using artificial intelligence to track tree cover, cars, poolsMONTREAL — Municipalities in Quebec’s capital region have recently begun using artificial intelligence to track everything from tree cover to cars -- and even backyard pools.
Read more »
Montreal International Auto Show acquires Montreal Electric Vehicle ShowpThe Montreal International Auto Show has acquired its upstart rival the Montreal Electric Vehicle Show, consolidating its position as the province’s lead promoter of auto events, as electric vehicles take on a more prominent role in the industry.
Read more »
Montreal shelter event seeks homes for pets abandoned on Quebec's annual moving dayLocals flocked to a Montreal animal shelter on Sunday to offer a forever home to dozens of animals who were abandoned during the province's annual July 1 moving day.
Read more »
New displays at Montreal airport aim to promote Indigenous tourism in QuebecThe Aéroports de Montréal and Indigenous Tourism Quebec have joined forces to promote Indigenous culture and tourism at Montreal's Trudeau airport.
Read more »