Amazon is set to leverage artificial intelligence to mitigate flood risks in the northeastern Spanish region of Aragon, the company announced on Monday. The tech giant is currently constructing data centers in the area.
Amazon’s cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services (AWS), unveiled plans in May to inject 15.7 billion euros ($17.02 billion) into data center projects within Aragon. This investment is designed to significantly expand its cloud infrastructure.
AWS stated it intends to allocate 17.2 million euros ($17.9 million) toward reducing flood risks. This investment will support modernizing infrastructure and utilizing AI to optimize agricultural water management.
The announcement comes shortly after severe flooding affected wide areas surrounding Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city. The Ebro River, which has the highest flow in the Iberian Peninsula, traverses Aragon on its route to the Mediterranean Sea. The region is particularly susceptible to flooding.
Amazon intends to implement an early warning system employing advanced cloud computing technologies. This platform will combine real-time data collection with sophisticated sensor networks and AI-driven analysis to aid Zaragoza, the capital city of Aragon. The platform will monitor weather patterns and water flow to provide emergency services with advanced warning of potential floods.
Local authorities in Zaragoza are presently constructing flood defenses at the Barranco de la Muerte, or Death Ravine, following the devastating floods of 2023.
(1 euro = $0.9615)
