Artificial intelligence helps in the restoration of an ancient plant

So how do you find the coveted female cycad in so many images? This task will be entrusted to artificial intelligence. According to project leader Dr Laura Sinti, shape recognition algorithms will be used to identify the plants. So far, only 2 per cent of the forest has been surveyed using drones.

If a female plant is not found, scientists will try to artificially change the sex of the existing male plants. There is evidence that male cycads of other species can change sex under certain environmental changes, including temperature.