What happened
Spoor introduced AI-powered computer vision software for bird monitoring, utilising high-resolution video cameras and advanced AI to detect, track, and classify avian populations. This system, deployable onshore and offshore with buoy-mounted cameras, provides detailed empirical data for environmental impact assessments and risk management. It offers a scalable, cost-effective alternative to traditional aircraft or vessel surveys, having been deployed across Northern Europe, including the Hywind Tampen offshore wind farm.
Why it matters
The adoption of AI-powered bird monitoring introduces a new dependency on algorithmic accuracy for environmental impact assessments and regulatory compliance. This shifts the burden of data validation to environmental compliance and risk management teams, who must now ensure the integrity and reliability of AI-generated empirical data. It raises due diligence requirements for verifying the AI's classification and tracking capabilities, potentially creating a visibility gap regarding the underlying model's performance and potential biases compared to established human-led survey methodologies.
