29 | Combining AI and bioacoustics, with Topher White of Rainforest Connection

Soundproofist

Topher White uses technology to detect illegal logging in rainforests. You might have seen stories about how he repurposed old cellphones and powered them with solar panels to listen remotely in the forests. While collecting this audio data, he uses AI tools to identify the specific sounds of chainsaws and trucks to send alerts to local officials.
His organization, Rainforest Connection, has been successful in reducing illegal logging in protected areas. Now he has a new project underway, called "Delta." This new tool is geared towards home users. They can deploy it in their backyards or on camping trips and other outdoor excursions. Delta can collect sounds and help users learn more about the local wildlife around them and even build stories about the animals over time.
In this podcast, we'll discuss the evolution of the Rainforest Connection, their first innovative tool (known as "The Guardian"), and the details of their newest tool, Delta. This new product will become available through a Kickstarter campaign starting on June 20, 2023.