Utah uses AI to find 25,000 more storm drains in fight against mosquitoes (ksltv.com)

Utah County has launched an innovative AI program to identify an additional 25,000 storm drains, enhancing its mosquito abatement efforts aimed at preventing mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus. Developed by the county's Information Systems Department, the AI utilizes high-resolution aerial imagery to pinpoint storm drains previously missing from the existing database of around 50,000. This significant discovery empowers mosquito control teams, who rely on treatment methods for drain management, to proactively address potential breeding sites for mosquitoes. The AI model, created by GIS programmer Nathan Thomas, was trained to recognize varying storm drain shapes from aerial photos, providing a vital resource for crews that bike to treatment sites. This advancement not only updates outdated geographic information system (GIS) data but also optimizes the efficiency of abatement operations, allowing crews more time to focus on actual drain treatment rather than searching for them. With Utah County experiencing a population growth of approximately 40% since 2010, the ability to effectively manage these newfound storm drains is crucial for public health and demonstrates the transformative potential of AI technology in local government initiatives.