Kickstart AI x Data & Drinks: AI for the Planet

Data & Drinks is teaming up with Kickstart AI for a special event!
Let us know you’re coming by signing up on our separate registration page here > https://meetup-nov6.kickstartai-events.org/

📅 Date: Nov 6th, 2025
​​🕔 Time: 18:00 - 21:30
📍 Location: Raamstraat 7, 1016 XL, Amsterdam

Join us for a special edition of the KickstartAl meetup, co-hosted with the Data & Drinks community by Xomnia! This time, we're diving deep into the theme of Al for the Planet, exploring how data science and machine learning are being used to tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Get ready for an evening of inspiring talks from experts using Al to monitor deforestation, protect endangered species, and empower conservationists on the ground.

Is this for you?
This event is tailored for professionals who are hands-on with data and Al. You'll get the most out of the sessions if you are a:

• Machine Learning Engineer or Data Scientist looking for novel applications and technical case studies.
• Al Researcher or Data Analyst interested in geospatial, computer vision, and conservation data.
• Environmental Scientist with experience in programming.

Schedule:
18:00 - 18:30: Welcome with food and drinks!
18:30 - 19:00: Deep Learning based Multi-Source Data Fusion to Map Deforested Areas in the Amazon Rainforest
19:00 - 19:30: Beyond Tagging: Modern Solutions for Sea Turtle Monitoring
19:30 - 19:40: Break
19:40 - 20:10: Empowering Wildlife Rangers with Data-Driven Conservation by Maria Bader, Technical Lead at CorrelAidNL
20:10 - 21:30: Networking/drinks

What's on the agenda?

Deep Learning based Multi-Source Data Fusion to Map Deforested Areas in the Amazon Rainforest by Akhil Chhibber, Machine Learning Engineer

The Amazon is vast and often covered by clouds, which makes it hard to track deforestation using only standard satellite pictures. Akhil will explain his method of combining those pictures with radar images that can see through clouds (SAR). By using an advanced computer program to analyze both types of images, he can create much more accurate maps of deforested areas. Find out how this method provides the essential details needed to manage the forest better, even in cloudy weather.

Beyond Tagging: Modern Solutions for Sea Turtle Monitoring by Inês Silva Veríssimo, Data Scientist at Xomnia

Traditional ways of tracking sea turtles are often invasive, expensive, and difficult to do on a large scale. While using Al is a promising alternative, it can be hard to apply in nature because of low-quality images and a lack of consistent data collection.
Inês will share how her team at Xomnia built a practical online system for processing images and an easy-to-use website. These tools help conservationists in their daily work. Learn how they chose effective technology that was also simple to operate, creating a reliable tool for everyday biodiversity monitoring.

Empowering Wildlife Rangers with Data-Driven Conservation by Maria Bader, Technical Lead at CorrelAidNL

Maria will present a project by CorrelAidNL, a community of data scientists using their skills for social good. In collaboration with the non-profit Sensing Clues, a team of volunteers developed an interactive app to help wildlife rangers protect ecosystems in Europe and Africa. Maria will explain how they used open-source satellite imagery to build a tool that tracks vegetation health over time, empowering rangers on the ground to make informed, data-driven decisions for sustainable landscape management.