Google AI Grant to iNaturalist Prompts Community Outcry

image via New Scientist

June 17, 2025, 1:30 PM

• •iNaturalist, a platform for nature observation, received a $1.5-million grant from Google.org to develop generative AI tools for species identification.
• •The announcement sparked backlash from iNaturalist users who expressed concerns about the environmental impact, misinformation, and potential devaluation of professional taxonomists' work.
• •iNaturalist responded with clarifications and assurances, but some users remained unsatisfied, questioning the organization's commitment to its response.
• •The controversy highlights the tension between technological advancements and the preservation of human expertise and data integrity in the field of natural sciences.

iNaturalist, a popular online platform for nature observers, received a grant from Google to develop generative AI tools for species identification, which led to significant user backlash. The users raised concerns regarding the environmental impact, the potential for misinformation, and the devaluation of expert opinions. iNaturalist responded with clarifications, but some users remained unsatisfied. The controversy highlights the challenges of integrating technology while addressing environmental impact and maintaining data integrity.

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