25/03/2026
Between 16 and 20 March, the Wits Global Change Institute, in collaboration with the UK Met Office, kicked off the AI4Climate Project with a five-day hackathon in Johannesburg. Climate scientists, researchers and students from Wits University, the SA Weather Service, CSIR and ARC convened to strengthen the region’s expertise in using AI and machine learning for climate modelling.
Met Office trainers led theoretical briefings while participants moved into practical labs, experimenting with AI techniques to downscale coarse climate data and produce higher-resolution climate outputs. Multidisciplinary teams tested and compared multiple datasets to assess their influence on model outputs, exchanged results in collaborative sessions, and sharpened technical and scientific skills aimed at tackling regionally relevant climate research questions.
The hackathon highlighted how AI can speed up climate modelling and support evidence-based decisions across Southern Africa, a region that faces acute climate risks. Supported by the UK government as part of a continuing UK–South Africa scientific partnership, the AI4Climate initiative marks a significant advancement in developing local expertise in AI-enhanced climate science.
Delegations from the British High Commission, the French Embassy and the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation observed the event, reflecting both international and domestic government interest in harnessing AI for climate solutions. The initiative reinforces a cooperative pathway toward more capable, locally grounded climate science and practical outcomes for the region.
University of the Witwatersrand
Met Office global partnership
