Researchers from the African Synthesis Centre for Climate Change, Environment, and Development (ASCEND) are set to play a pivotal role in an ambitious international initiative aimed at transforming climate and health research through artificial intelligence.
Commissioned by the Wellcome Trust, the DESTINY project—short for Digital Evidence Synthesis Tool Innovation Yielding Improvements in Climate & Health—will develop cutting-edge AI tools to streamline and enhance the synthesis of climate change and health research. The consortium, featuring partners from Africa, Europe, and Australia, will receive €12 million over four years, with leadership from Berlin’s Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC).
ASCEND researchers will lead evidence assessments focused on urban health and climate adaptation, a critical area as Africa experiences rapid urbanisation. Dr Christopher Trisos, Director of ASCEND, highlights the project’s significance: “Adapting cities to climate change is essential for securing human health. This project will use AI to deliver the most recent, rigorous evidence quickly, supporting informed decisions and advancing climate justice across Africa.”
DESTINY aims to make evidence synthesis faster, more affordable, and widely accessible. The tools will identify and summarise key findings from vast research datasets, providing actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners. Importantly, human oversight will ensure the AI-driven results maintain high scientific standards.
The full press release offers more details on ASCEND’s contributions and the global impact of DESTINY. Learn how this groundbreaking project will shape the future of climate and health research.
