Jean P. Pabón, pictured, program manager with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) Office of Technology Operations, focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning as part of the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable last week.
Office of Environmental Management
May 28, 2024
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jean P. Pabón, pictured, program manager with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) Office of Technology Operations, focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning as part of the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable last week.
The group works to build a collaborative atmosphere among federal agencies involved in hazardous waste site cleanup. At the meeting held at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, participants honed in on the progress and results of recent artificial intelligence and machine learning projects related to advanced contaminant plume characterization, predictive modeling and improved cleanup efficiency.
Machine learning is the process of using computers to detect patterns in massive datasets and then make predictions based on what the computer learns from those patterns. This makes machine learning a specific and narrow type of artificial intelligence. Full artificial intelligence involves machines that can perform abilities we associate with the minds of human beings and intelligent animals, such as perceiving, learning and problem solving. Members of the roundtable have reviewed technology advances including robotics, unmanned systems and analysis of large data sets to support site characterization and remediation.
Meeting attendees highlighted case studies in which the technologies significantly enhanced remedial decisions, remedy implementation and performance monitoring, thereby reducing the need for extensive sampling at EM sites.
The discussions aimed to provide valuable information and best practices for deploying artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to remedial project managers and technical staff from over 10 government agencies, laboratories, industries and academia. Also taking part in the latest roundtable meeting were DOE’s Savannah River and Pacific Northwest national laboratories and Florida International University. They are conducting projects that will benefit EM’s cleanup.
Visit the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable website for more information.
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