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Floods impact nearly 1.5 billion people each year, causing around $50 billion in damages—one of the world’s most destructive natural threats.

But there’s progress: new AI-powered prediction models are making forecasts more accurate and accessible, even in data-poor regions. With warnings up to seven days in advance, these tools could save lives and cut losses.

Read on to see how.

Innovation

AI for Social Good

Floods are among the most destructive natural disasters globally, impacting nearly 1.5 billion people—about 19% of the world’s population—and causing around $50 billion in damages each year. But advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping how communities prepare. New AI-powered flood prediction models are making forecasts more accurate and accessible, especially in regions with limited data. With the ability to forecast riverine floods up to seven days in advance, these tools offer a critical window that could save lives and reduce economic losses.

Historically, flood forecasting relied heavily on streamflow gauges—equipment still missing from many rivers, especially in developing areas. This made early warning systems difficult to implement. But AI is changing that. Google Research has developed machine learning models that can predict floods up to a week in advance, even in data-scarce regions. Their first pilot launched in 2018 in India’s Ganges-Brahmaputra basin, one of the world’s most flood-prone areas. By integrating real-time data, historical records, and geography, the model proved accurate and scalable. It soon expanded to Bangladesh and eventually to more than 80 countries, reaching over 460 million people by 2023 through Google’s Flood Hub platform.

One of the key breakthroughs came from combining machine learning with hydrological physics-based models. Collaborations with academic researchers helped create systems that remain reliable even where local measurements are sparse. Partnerships with local governments and global organizations like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have also been essential. The WMO’s Early Warnings for All initiative aims to make flood forecasts universally available by 2027, with a focus on underserved areas like Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

Still, challenges remain. Some vulnerable communities lack internet or smartphones to receive alerts, and forecast accuracy depends on the quality of available data. But these obstacles also highlight what’s next: refining models to predict flash floods, urban flooding, and other hazards like droughts and heatwaves. AI’s potential as a broader climate risk tool is growing. As this technology continues to evolve, its success will depend on cooperation among governments, NGOs, scientists, and communities.

AI-based flood forecasting is already advancing the UN’s climate goals, including SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Continued investment and collaboration will be essential to ensure these tools are available worldwide—and that more communities can prepare for a changing climate.

Pop Culture

Nostalgic Revivals Everywhere

It seems 2025 isn’t just a new year—it’s a trip back to the years many of us remember best. From music to TV to what’s on your breakfast table, nostalgia is staging a full-blown comeback. Classic shows and movies are being rebooted (sometimes faithfully, sometimes… less so). Record players and cassette tapes—the same ones that used to chew up your favorite song—are back in stores. Even supermarket aisles haven’t escaped the retro wave, with Friends-themed cereal and other blasts from the past lining the shelves.

Marketers may pitch these throwbacks as “cool” for younger generations, but the deeper impact is felt by older audiences. It hits differently when you remember watching those series finales in real time, buying that album on vinyl the year it came out, or craning over the living room floor to find out who shot JR. For those who lived it the first time, the return of these cultural touchstones isn’t just fun—it’s personal.

Sure, some of the revivals feel a little too tidy, like nostalgia with a barcode. But even so, there’s comfort in it all. A familiar theme song that whisks you back to college. A grainy sitcom rerun you used to watch with your family. The forgotten taste of a childhood snack. In a world that’s constantly racing forward, these retro moments feel like shared winks across generations: Remember when? And maybe that’s the real magic of nostalgia—it reminds us of who we were, how far we’ve come, and invites us to enjoy it all over again.

Sports

F1 Academy’s Guide for Girls

F1 ACADEMY has unveiled a groundbreaking new Driver Development Guide, created in partnership with >= More than Equal, the Official Driver Performance & Research Partner of F1 ACADEMY. This first-of-its-kind guide is designed specifically for young girls at any stage of their motorsport journey. Developed by the F1 ACADEMY Performance & Talent Development team, the guide addresses a long-standing need for clearer, more tailored support to help young female drivers enter and progress in the world of racing.

The guide dives deep into core areas essential for development—including technical race craft, female health advice, physical and mental performance, and social factors that influence both lifestyle and racing success. It’s intended not only for young drivers but also for parents, caregivers, and support teams. Available free of charge, the guide can be downloaded through the new Driver Development Hub on the F1 ACADEMY website. The hub will continue expanding with more resources and also provides links for families to explore events, learn nutritional basics, and more. Drivers and caregivers can also register for Driver Development Virtual Workshops, interactive sessions designed to bring the guide to life with real-time insights and expert advice.

Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY, said:

"We know for the long-term success of F1 ACADEMY, it's essential that we have more girls racing so that the best can rise to the top. It has taken a lot of hard work over the past year to create this first-of-its-kind guide. Supporting and nurturing young female talent is at the heart of this series; that’s why we have worked with experts to provide a comprehensive resource that can inform and help any young girl in her motorsport journey.
The guide is designed to support drivers and their parents in whatever category their daughters are racing, or even if they are just interested in entering the sport. This guide, the Driver Development Hub, and the online webinars are providing the resources we hope will help young girls maximise their potential to become the best racing drivers they can be.”

Katie Denver, F1 ACADEMY Performance & Talent Development Manager, added:

“We know that unlocking the final few tenths on track is crucial, and young drivers often have to look beyond the car to find small improvement areas or 'marginal gains.' With this in mind, we want to support every aspect of up-and-coming female talent development; and so, with the support of industry experts, the driver development guide takes a truly holistic approach - from physical and mental conditioning guidance to understanding technical skill and tactical thinking. It's about building well-rounded young drivers who are prepared for the demands and pressures of the highest levels of the sport, both on and off track.”

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