Powered by women: Utilising data science and technology to drive positive change

Despite being located thousands of kilometres away from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Dell Technologies’ regional headquarters in Singapore is deeply engaged in preserving the reef’s biodiversity from the adverse effects of climate change.

Committed to advancing sustainability, Dell invests in collaborations and initiatives that harness its technology, scale and talent to address complex challenges such as climate change, driving the circular economy and fostering inclusive workplaces.

In 2022, in partnership with conservation non-governmental organisation Citizens of the Reef, Dell launched a deep-learning artificial intelligence (AI) model to process the extensive reconnaissance data amassed as part of the Great Reef Census. The census is an annual survey that assesses the health and structures of the 2,300km-long coral reef system. 

The model’s development was led by Ms Aruna Kolluru, chief technologist, AI, Dell Technologies (Asia Pacific and Japan), and supported by Ms Soo Mei May, director, data science, Dell Technologies Singapore and her data science team in Singapore.

INNOVATING WITH AI TO DRIVE CLIMATE ACTION

Dell’s model accurately categorises each pixel of an image into a class or object, leveraging a high-performance Dell computing system optimised for machine learning tasks. Data storage is facilitated by the Dell PowerScale system while the backbone of the AI training cluster and inference engines is supported by Dell PowerEdge servers.

These technologies enabled the data science team, in collaboration with marine experts, to classify the reef’s 144 coral species into five critical conservation categories based on their level of health and vulnerability. This facilitates precise and efficient conservation strategies for protecting and restoring the reefs. 

Ms Soo highlighted the initial challenge of training the model from the ground up to identify corals. This became achievable through Dell’s advanced infrastructure that is capable of handling computationally intensive training tasks. “The outcome is a robust deep-learning model, whose accuracy will further improve with additional training data,” said Ms Soo. 

Presently, a dataset comprising 13,000 images can be reviewed in under 200 hours, a notable acceleration compared to the 1,516 hours required for manual review. This rapid processing provides timely insights into reef health.

This project is now one of the world’s largest marine citizen science initiatives, engaging citizen scientists, including tourists and leisure divers, in capturing and analysing over 42,000 images from more than 315 reefs. 

Ms Kolluru sees the project as a testament to AI’s capacity to tackle major global challenges, underscoring its significant impact on conservation through technological innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

PUSHING BOUNDARIES, CHAMPIONING INCLUSION

Both Ms Soo and Ms Kolluru are at the forefront of utilising technology to drive meaningful change. 

Formerly an economist in the shipping industry, Ms Soo’s transition to data science was fuelled by a deep fascination with statistics, predictive analytics, as well as the transformative power of technology. “Joining Dell marked a pivotal moment in my career, providing me the chance to pioneer innovative solutions,” she said.

In addition to her expertise in AI and machine learning, Ms Soo plays a key role as the mentoring pillar lead in the Singapore chapter of Dell Technologies’ Women in Action employee resource group, where she drives MentorConnect, Dell’s cross-company, women-focused mentorship programme. The initiative promotes diverse leadership development and helps mentees cultivate the skills needed to advance their leadership endeavours. 

Said Ms Soo: “I encourage all aspiring tech professionals, particularly women, to embrace the benefits of mentorship, broaden their networks and actively pursue opportunities for learning and exchanging best practices.” 

Ms Kolluru is also a strong believer in mentorship, noting that she has seen first-hand how diverse viewpoints have led to the creation of innovative, inclusive and impactful solutions at the workplace. “My mission is to bridge the gender gap in tech and nurture a supportive community where young women feel a sense of belonging and safety as they navigate the tech world,” she added.

Ms Kolluru is involved in numerous initiatives, such as Dell’s Girls in Engineering and Technology, AI Avengers and Dell’s Code like a Girl. “Seeing the passion, determination and talent in these young women inspires me as well, reaffirming my belief that strong mentorship plays a critical role in fostering the next generation of female leaders in the tech industry,” she said. 

Learn more about how Dell Technologies is committed to creating a better, more sustainable future.