Meiya Gujjalu

Tag: Mauritius

  • AI’s mammoth role in dodo-ing conservation

    Check out my latest piece for the Daily Cal, written during my internship at Colossal! 

    As amazing as anything our generation could uncover or discover, the prospect of encountering a resurrected Dodo bird is beyond any “Frankenstein-esque” project that I had ever imagined. Literally beyond my wildest dreams! However, besides being a cool endeavor, the project has immense ecological promise. The success of such an ambitious conservation initiative will depend, however, on our ability to design new technologies while addressing ethical concerns. But if we don’t innovate, we might face the extinctions of other species and their ecosystems.

    It was previous UC Berkeley professor George Poinar Jr.’s research on DNA preserved in prehistoric amber that inspired Michael Crichton to write the script for blockbuster movie “Jurassic Park.” Now, with artificial intelligence, or AI, tools developing rapidly, we are experiencing major changes in our lives, work and learning experiences. 

    These technologies present unparalleled opportunities to drive innovation and solve complex challenges — from predicting disease outbreaks to modeling climate change patterns. Universities are already dedicated to expanding the frontiers of knowledge, and we, students, have the opportunity to leverage AI to improve the world through outstanding research and education. 

    While many are stunned by the fast pace of these tech advancements and are apprehensive of their risks, they offer exciting avenues to explore. In the face of climate change, AI is a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, can revolutionize our approach to mitigating biodiversity loss and protecting our natural world. 

    On the academic front, UC Berkeley will soon open its new College of Computing, Data Science, and Society — the first new college to be created on campus in over 50 years. Machine learning was already gaining traction among computer scientists and researchers at UC Berkeley in the late 2010s. 

    However, the real turning point came in 2022 with the advent of technologies like ChatGPT. Since then, AI has sparked a surge in both academic and corporate investment, reshaping research on campus. Faculty and students across all disciplines have begun leveraging AI to accelerate their research, facilitate teaching and design new educational approaches.

    AI may be our most promising opportunity to address climate change. Scientists are already using AI to help us mitigate the impacts of climate change by improving our ability to predict extreme weather events and by providing decision support tools to help us respond more effectively. AI aids in mapping greenhouse gas emissions, detecting forest fires and, now, de-extincting species! 

    To organize these efforts, the Berkeley AI Research Climate Initiative is spearheading projects to address environmental issues through innovative tech-driven solutions. It uses vision techniques to monitor endangered populations in National Parks, relying on unsupervised and self-supervised methods — similar to those used in human face recognition  — to automate this task.  

    Biotechs like Colossal Biosciences (where I have the unique privilege of interning this summer) are working to restore ecosystems and de-extinct species — Dodo birds, the woolly mammoth or the Thylacine. 

    The forefront of Colossal’s efforts is the integration of AI and CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, pioneered by UC Berkeley professor Jennifer Doudna. This groundbreaking approach involves modifying the genes of Nicobar pigeons to create Dodo bird hybrids that could thrive in our changing climate. 

    The reintroduction of Dodos to their native habitats in Mauritius will aid with vital ecological roles such as seed dispersal and vegetation management, boosting biodiversity and supporting other wildlife. Plus, Dodos could also help with carbon sequestration — healthy ecosystems with diverse plants are more effective at capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is crucial in mitigating the effects of climate change.

    Colossal is already working with various conservation groups to explore ways to use these technologies to protect endangered species, enhance genetic diversity and monitor health. For instance, it uses drones with infrared cameras to study behaviors and habitats of African elephants. 

    This blend of new tech and conservation know-how not only protects endangered animals but also makes them more resilient against climate change, invasive species and habitat destruction. Humans have transformed ecosystems so dramatically that it led to the extinction of these species, with many more species at risk. Colossal’s work — as well as that of similar companies — could be our only hope to rehabilitate ecosystems and prevent more environmental disasters. 

    It’s a big step toward global conservation goals. 

    While we should still design new technologies, we could also leverage existing tools to engage audiences who may not fully understand the importance of such conservation efforts. The vast scale and the complexities of the climate crisis can quickly be overwhelming, which often leads to public disengagement.  

    Scientific research can be difficult to grasp, especially as we don’t always have all the answers that we’d like to guide our understanding. Naturally, our initial inclination may be to focus on the potential risks and ethical dilemmas: Should we revive species for our own ecological benefits? Are we entitled to play God? These are challenging questions, and perhaps there is no right answer.

    However, with a more complete understanding, we could change our perceptions and relationships with nature. We all have different thresholds for accepting information and are capable of changing our minds as we gain more insights. Fortunately, there are many opportunities at the intersection of conservation and education in which students can significantly contribute.

    Educational initiatives powered by AI — interactive museum exhibitions, virtual reality learning experiences or immersive apps — hold the potential to bridge gaps between scientific endeavors and public understanding. If we use these tools to address skepticism and generate hopeful scenarios of “what could be” — restored ecosystems through de-extinction, livelihoods saved from climate change and other success stories — we could instill a sense of urgency and (potentially) shift mindsets toward widespread environmental protection. 

    Ultimately, aligning various perspectives will depend on our ability to innovate and adapt. So it’s up to us to harness AI for the greater good — driving colossal change and unity in our fight against climate change.

    https://www.dailycal.org/opinion/the_soapbox/ai-s-mammoth-role-in-dodo-ing-conservation/article_b62d9804-420b-11ef-a157-cb7f280d460d.html

  • A dodo on a daring journey

    Sharing my first piece for the Daily Californian!

    I was born and grew up in Mauritius, a tiny island in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa. My home is known for many things, one of them being that it’s where the flightless dodo birds once roamed. 

    Growing up in Mauritius was idyllic: pristine beaches, warm waters and sunny weather, burrowing my toes into fine sand. Beyond natural beauty, I felt lucky to evolve in a kaleidoscope of cultures and religions with Asian, European and African influences. I like to call my home the “Rainbow Nation”: We splash colors for Holi, set off firecrackers in Chinatown, hunt eggs for Easter and share Biryani for Eid.

    Coexisting with many traditions naturally led me to meet extraordinary people. Their stories, their anecdotes, what I learned from conversations make it obvious that we all come from different cultures.

    Without paying attention, I was at the intersection of many currents and this multiculturalism profoundly shaped how I view life today. From birth, we become trilingual — Creole, French, English — and navigate fluidly among different cultures. In fact, these are skills we use everyday: We embrace our differences, thereby enriching our whole human experience.

    While living in a cosmopolitan country gave me early glimpses of diversity, I still wanted to discover other cultures and perspectives. Maybe coming from a tiny dot lost in the ocean makes you curious. Maybe this is what pushed me to seek more than what was familiar.

    So much like the dodo bird of my homeland, I too dared to roam — and I came to Berkeley because it was literally the farthest place I could go to explore the world.

    To some extent, attending a college far from home was my way of developing a global mindset and experiencing new cultures. At UC Berkeley, I’ve encountered brilliant minds with different stories, passions and senses of purpose. With some luck, I could even build lifelong friendships from all over the world.

    Yet my journey as a foreigner hasn’t always been easy. 

    In my freshman year, I faced prejudice surpassing anything I had ever experienced before. I’ve been told I don’t fit preconceived notions of being African, with my identity being questioned based on my “Asian” appearance. My hobbies, taste for fashion and food have also been dismissed as “white-washed.”

    I had never really expected others to know where Mauritius is, to infer from my Indian features that I live in Africa or guess that my first language is French. So despite hurtful experiences, I chose to see them as opportunities for mutual learning and empathy. In truth, I am always more than happy to share about my background, and in turn, learn about that of others.

    Each encounter — no matter how challenging — presents a chance to foster empathy and promote awareness. I’ve found that genuine connections often emerge from these discussions. Education has that power to bridge cultural gaps. 

    Despite being 99.9% similar to others in our genetic DNA, we are naturally diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, political views, sexual orientation and more. Whether we drink boba and coffee, eat meat or prefer a vegan diet, like social media or dislike celebrities, our various perspectives and beliefs create a special brand of beauty and harmony. My left-handed friend effortlessly beats me in badminton, yet I cherish our matches together.

    Embracing these differences has undeniably enriched my perspective in countless immeasurable ways.

    Diversity can also create more value by fostering innovation and creativity.  However, if those vastly diverse perspectives are not heard and if people do not feel a sense of belonging, the impact disappears. Recent rises in xenophobia highlight the need for inclusion, especially among students.

    In reality, our challenge is to aim beyond belonging. In French we have the word “altérité” which is not easy to translate into English. In essence, it means to celebrate and embrace the other, which helps to promote this sense of inclusion. This is what we need.  

    Imagine a potluck dinner. If each person brings something different from their own country, it is often more flavorful and enjoyable. Now if each person could explain why this dish is meaningful, it would go beyond belonging and encourage an authentic love of diversity.

    It is now our turn to invest in ourselves and in our relationships with others. 

    Looking back, my time at UC Berkeley has been a journey that I wouldn’t trade for the world. My dad even jokes that if we were to dig a hole under Mauritius, we’d end up at Berkeley! Surprisingly though, the hardship and homesickness have been transformative experiences, making me prouder of my Mauritian identity. Perhaps a shift in perspective is what’s needed for progress. 

    Darwin said that only species that can adapt will survive — and I remember this when I often share that Mauritius is the home of the flightless dodo bird. The dodo’s inability to adapt to the destruction of its habitat led to its extinction. But instead of mirroring its fate, I hope to use my college education to embody the spirit of a daring dodo that does survive. 

    And one of the best ways I have kept going on this journey is taking comfort in the fact that we all have a unique story to share. So let’s all be daring dodos and defy the odds together!

    Read more on the Daily Californian!