How AI and Citizen Science Are Revolutionizing Biodiversity Mapping

Science is, at its core, a process—a framework for testing questions about the world with
detailed and structured observations of it to gain knowledge and understanding. Contrary to
what some may believe, the scientific process has always been a universal one, accessible to
the common people, even if the largest and most newsworthy discoveries are usually left to
those with greater time and resources. However, with modern technologies like AI, that reality
is primed for radical change; citizen science is becoming the new driving force of innovation and
positive impact.
The advent of modern artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies has been
near-universally disruptive in the business sector, but one of AI’s potentially most impactful
use-cases is one that may be surprising: environmental science and conservation. These
powerful algorithms and models are allowing passionate and interested civilians to gather and
analyze data like never before. In these times of climate change, with growing public interest in
environmental stewardship and conservation, the intersection of citizen science and powerful
mobile technology represents a powerful opportunity for global change, but like all science,
everything starts with data.
Large-Scale Biodiversity Mapping
Citizens scientists are leveraging AI technology and other mobile tech tools to gather real-time,
user-generated ecological data on a massive scale. The AI models assist in identifying plant and
animal species presented by the user, and that data is then collected into open data sets that
can be tracked, analyzed, and updated consistently with new information from the field. This
level of biodiversity tracking has never been achievable before at-scale—at least not outside of
the walls of universities, research institutions, and government agencies. Everyday people can
now contribute to important conservation work by simply taking pictures of the plants, animals,
and fungi in the ecosystems around them. This intersection of citizen passion and technological
power may be the key to critical conservation efforts worldwide.
There is an incredible amount of scientific potential available in the current moment, and the
only thing needed to start reaping the benefits is to make the needed technology fully
accessible to everyday people. This is the realization that encouraged environmental tech
founder Eric Ralls to develop and launch EarthSnap, a versatile AI-powered app that allows
individuals to identify the living things around them at a touch of a button. The app works by
cross-referencing the traits of the subject in the photo with a large and growing encyclopedia of
over two million of Earth’s species, done using the power of AI. Combined with its social
community functions, it's a compelling contribution to what Nandina Galle refers to as “the
Internet of Nature,” directly connecting people to the natural world with ease.
“The idea is simple: identify what you’re seeing, learn about it, and contribute to a growing
knowledge base at the same time,” Ralls explains. “The community doesn’t just use the
product—it helps make it smarter and more valuable over time. When millions of people
photograph plants, animals, fungi, and ecosystems—and those observations are responsibly
aggregated—you suddenly get a real-time, ground-level view of life on Earth.”
The potential is staggering; tracking real-time migration shifts, the spread of invasive species,
even changes in flowering seasons are all possible with such a flow of incoming global
observations. Ralls believes that with the right ethical and responsible implementation, systems
like EarthSnap and other citizen science platforms have the potential to support conservation,
education, and scientific research in ways that were impossible a mere decade ago. However,
the work comes with real challenges, and doing it responsibly is foremost among them.
“I believe deeply in the value of citizen science, but openness comes with real responsibility,”
says Ralls. “You have to protect user privacy, avoid exposing sensitive locations—especially for
endangered species—and ensure that data is used in ways that build trust rather than erode it.”
A World Of Citizen Science
New technologies, used responsibly, have the potential to not only reward infinite human
curiosity, but turn that inquisitive impulse into an engine for global scientific gain. With apps
and platforms like EarthSnap, powered by machine learning and AI, nature discovery could
become an ambient expected part of life, blending seamlessly into daily routines and
encouraging new learning. The era of the search bar will fade away as people can point their
cameras at the world to receive real time insights and knowledge, get answers to questions
about the world they live in, and contribute to a growing body of data used to keep that world’s
ecosystems healthy and vibrant. Eric Ralls is confident that this paradigm shift will only grow
more powerful over time.
“Citizen science will also become more structured and impactful,” the Earth.com founder
predicts. “We’ll see stronger data standards, better verification methods, and deeper
collaboration between platforms, researchers, NGOs, and governments. If we do this right, a
single photo taken on a hike could meaningfully contribute to conservation and environmental
understanding.”
The technology is, after all, only in the early stages of its development. While modern media
cycles encourage and reward sensationalism, there is still much work to be done before the
new world of citizen science can come to pass. One of the largest challenges remains accuracy
at scale; with tens of millions of species to identify, document, catalogue, and process, all done
with photos that can be incredibly varied in quality, ensuring accuracy while maintaining a fast
and intuitive user experience can be challenging. Paired with the technical realities of managing
and maintaining an app and platform through necessary change, shifting user expectations, and
new development, EarthSnap and its contemporaries have an uphill battle ahead of them.
However, it’s a challenge that promises to not only expand people’s love for and understanding
of their environment, but may even encourage them to unplug a little and enjoy it.
“I often come back to this quote from John Muir: ‘But in every walk with Nature one receives
far more than he seeks.’” says Eric Ralls. “It captures something essential: nature always gives
more than we expect, if we’re paying attention. That idea sits at the heart of everything I try to
build—using technology to help people notice, learn, and reconnect with the living world
around them.”