Data Science & AI Lecture Series
AI-Driven Environmental Intelligence: Scalable and System-Level Approaches for Environmental Decision Making
Chengbin Deng
AI-Driven Environmental Intelligence: Scalable and System-Level Approaches for Environmental Decision Making
| When | Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (MT) |
|---|---|
| Where | WEB 3780 |
Abstract
Environmental systems are becoming more complex, dynamic, and tightly connected to human activities, yet much of our current work remains focused on isolated models or static mapping. In this talk, a framework will be present and discussed that uses AI to move beyond observation toward a more integrated understanding of environmental systems. The central idea is to link geospatial data, models, and real-world decisions so that environmental information can better reflect changing conditions across space and time while remaining meaningful for researchers and stakeholders. By drawing on some recent federally supported projects, this talk will show how this framework can capture large scale environmental dynamics, account for social and local context, and support more informed decision processes in various settings, ranging from urban systems to extreme events. Instead of using AI just as a tool, this work views it as part of a broader system that shapes how environmental problems are understood and acted, with the goal of advancing a more adaptive and practical form of environmental intelligence.
Speaker
Chengbin Deng
Dr. Chengbin Deng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability and Director of the Center for Spatial Analysis at the University of Oklahoma (OU). His research focuses on advancing AI for environmental monitoring, with an emphasis on integrating Earth observation, geospatial data, and decision systems to address challenges in climate, hazards, and urban environments. His work has been supported by major federal agencies including NASA, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and USGS, where he serves as Principal Investigator on multiple externally funded projects. He has been recognized among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier and received the Outstanding Research Award from the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences at OU. Currently, Dr. Deng serves on NASA Land Cover and Land Use Change Science Team, and is Advisor of NASA FINESST Future Investigator and an NSF EPSCoR RII Research Fellow.
Tags: climate & environment geospatial
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