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AI can predict landmine areas from satellite images

An AI model can identify landmine areas with up to 92 per cent accuracy, which could help to speed up the removal of the deadly devices

By Matthew Sparkes

24 May 2024

An engineer carries out mine clearance work in Ukraine

SERGEY KOZLOV/EPA-EFE/Shutterst​ock

AI can predict the location of landmines with up to 92 per cent accuracy, making removal of the deadly devices faster and more efficient, say researchers.

Some 60 countries around the world are contaminated by landmines and they are being buried in current war zones like Ukraine faster than they are disarmed elsewhere. Landmines are cheap to make, extremely long-lasting and also very time-consuming to find and make safe, which means they are a uniquely dangerous legacy of conflict.

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