The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Ecosystem Modeling
Developing ecosystem models has traditionally been limited to a small global community of experts because of the complex skills and resources required. However, the emergence of user-friendly artificial intelligence (AI) tools with powerful generative capabilities could democratize ecosystem modeling, enabling both experts and nonspecialists to build models. We explore a speculative future where AI enables automated end-to-end model development and application. Although such tools could accelerate and enhance modeling tasks, their widespread adoption raises concerns about data integrity, bias, interpretation reliability, and the potential erosion of human expertise. We argue that regardless of AI's technical advancement, human engagement and control remain essential. The global community must respond by identifying key factors that distinguish desirable outcomes and developing infrastructure, standards, and ethical guidelines to ensure AI use in ecosystem modeling remains scientifically robust while supporting sustainable and equitable outcomes.
Authors
- Javier Porobic (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5642-5372)
- Cara Stitzlein (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0018-5730)
- Alistair James Hobday (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3194-8326)
- Andrew Constable (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4841-2296)
- Viveka Weiley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0683-2425)
- Einat Grimberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0544-6015)
- D. Stott Parker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7641-7804)
- Elizabeth A. Fulton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5904-7917)
- Rowan Trebilco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9712-8016)
- P. Hirsch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1160-7951)
- Jess Melbourne-Thomas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6585-876X)
- Matthew H. Holden (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5135-9433)
- Karen Wild-Allen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3876-464X)
- Matthew Adams (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4875-0225)
- Trevor Hutton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8747-6196)
- Skipton Woolley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7022-0509)
- Piers K. Dunstan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2568-5945)
- Michael Harfoot (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2598-8652)
- Cécile Paris (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3816-0176)
- Éva E. Plagányi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4740-4200)
- Jacob G. D. Rogers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4724-2555)
- Scott Spillias (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1310-5202)
- Fabio Boschetti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8999-6913)
- Nicky Grigg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7601-3866)
- Simon Ferrier
- Sufi Kaur (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0060-2523)
Institutions
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere (AU)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (AU)
- University of Tasmania (AU)
- Queensland University of Technology (AU)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (AU)
- Vizzuality (Spain) (ES)
- Centre for Marine Socioecology (AU)
- CSIRO Scientific Computing (AU)
- Queensland Department of Environment and Science (AU)
- Data61 (AU)
- ACT Government (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BioScience
- Published
- 2025-09-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf169
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Ecosystem dynamics and resilience
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.21
Funders
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
- Canada Excellence Research Chairs, Government of Canada
- Centre for Marine Socioecology