30.07.2025

Teaser image to Tracking Our Changing Planet from Space - with Xiaoxiang Zhu

Tracking Our Changing Planet From Space - With Xiaoxiang Zhu

Research Film

From dreaming of seeing the Earth from space to leading efforts to understand our planet using AI and satellite data to tackle urgent global challenges. Xiaoxiang Zhu, Chair Professor for Data Science in Earth Observation at TUM and PI at MCML, develops machine learning systems that analyze petabytes of satellite imagery. Her work focuses on extracting reliable geo-information from raw data, especially in places where data is scarce or misleading.

In this video, Xiaoxiang Zhu explains how her team segments informal settlements across the Global South and estimates population density using building height and function. These tools help close critical knowledge gaps, particularly in regions where poverty is underrepresented in current datasets.

Her aim is to turn complex remote sensing data into actionable insights for addressing urbanization, climate change, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By combining technical innovation with social impact, her work shows how AI can help us better understand — and improve — life on Earth.

Watch in Full Quality on youTube

The film was produced and edited by Nicole Huminski and Nikolai Huber.

 

30.07.2025


Subscribe to RSS News feed

Related

Link to Niki Kilbertus Receives Prestigious ERC Starting Grant

08.09.2025

Niki Kilbertus Receives Prestigious ERC Starting Grant

Niki Kilbertus wins ERC Starting Grant for his DYNAMICAUS project on causal AI and scientific modeling.

Link to 3D Machine Perception Beyond Vision - with researcher Riccardo Marin

08.09.2025

3D Machine Perception Beyond Vision - With Researcher Riccardo Marin

Researcher Riccardo Marin explores 3D geometry and AI, from manufacturing to VR, making machine perception more human-like.

Link to AI for Personalized Psychiatry - with researcher Clara Vetter

01.09.2025

AI for Personalized Psychiatry - With Researcher Clara Vetter

AI research by Clara Vetter uses brain, genetic and smartphone data to personalize psychiatry and improve diagnosis and treatment.

Link to Satellite Insights for a Sustainable Future - with researcher Ivica Obadic

25.08.2025

Satellite Insights for a Sustainable Future - With Researcher Ivica Obadic

AI from satellite imagery helps design livable cities, improve well-being & food systems with transparent models by Ivica Obadić.

Link to Mingyang Wang receives Award at ACL 2025

18.08.2025

Mingyang Wang Receives Award at ACL 2025

MCML Junior Member Mingyang Wang wins SAC Highlights Award at ACL 2025 for research on cross-lingual consistency in language models.