From Mars to Tornado Alley: Meet the Experts Joining Amii’s AI for Earth Program

Published

Feb 12, 2026

The fully funded program builds intersectional AI literacy for the next generation of environmental leaders

Following our December launch of the AI for Earth Scholarship Program, Amii is excited to introduce the stellar lineup of subject matter experts (SMEs) shaping this specialized curriculum.

Supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the program is delivering fully funded training to 750 Canadian undergraduate and graduate students, directly advancing a federal mandate for youth empowerment and career development. Applications to participate in the first-ever AI for Earth cohort are now open. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2026.

Expertise from the Soil to the Stars

To ground the program in practical application, Amii has assembled a team that understands the planet from every possible angle to share their unique perspectives with learners.

Real Time Data in the Eye of the Storm

Nevin de Milliano

“My passion is watching storms come alive in person. Seeing a storm evolve in real time is like nothing else—that’s what keeps me hooked.”

Nevin de Milliano, a member of the Prairie Storm Chasers, brings the high-stakes reality of the field to the program. His perspective informs how AI can act as an essential partner in 'ground truth' observation, using real-time tools to process critical data that protects lives, livestock, and property.

Conquering New Frontiers with Massive Scale

Dr. Tanya Harrison

“Every day, hundreds of satellites capture massive amounts of data. To unlock these insights, we need AI literacy to expand to students who truly understand these applications.”

Dr. Tanya Harrison is a planetary scientist who has worked on NASA's Mars rover missions and brings a unique vantage point on the opportunities within vast satellite datasets. With hundreds of sensors orbiting Earth, she knows better than most how AI could act as our 'automated eyes' to unlock insights that would be impossible for humans to process alone—connecting solutions from the surface of Mars to the remote landscapes of Canada’s Arctic.

Building Public Trust in the Backyard

Many Canadians grew up trusting their local broadcast meteorologists as the first source for weather information and how it affects their day-to-day lives. This focus on the "human layer" is vital, as citizens are affected by disinformation and misinformation related to weather and the environment. A veteran broadcast meteorologist joins Amii for the program to share the mindset of professionals who translate global climate trends into actionable local intelligence, especially when AI-driven insights are only as effective as the public’s ability to trust and act on them.

“We are really excited to be working on this first project with the innovative thinkers at Environment Canada and Climate Change,” says Marlene McNaughton, Chief Revenue Officer, Amii. “This collaborative partnership extends to our very impressive subject matter experts, demonstrating the breadth of deep expertise in a range of critical fields. Our entire team is looking forward to congratulating this very first cohort of AI for Earth scholarship recipients.”

By equipping students with foundational AI skills, this initiative provides a distinct competitive edge for their future careers. It effectively empowers a 'bilingual' workforce—one capable of bridging deep scientific expertise with the AI proficiency needed to revolutionize Earth sciences and meteorology.

“Our team is thrilled to welcome such diverse expertise to the AI for Earth program. By bridging the gap between environmental science and machine learning, we are preparing the next generation to lead,” says Adam Danylenko, Product Owner, Training. “This breadth of expertise provides the real-world context needed to turn complex meteorology data into meaningful, field-ready solutions for communities across Canada.”

The “Fast-Forward Button” for Climate Action

In a field rich in data, AI serves as a "fast-forward button," reducing weeks of complex climate simulations to minutes. This precision allows the next generation to move beyond observation and toward proactive, real-time intervention.

To ensure these tools are used responsibly, the curriculum is anchored in UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework for Students. This aligns training to Amii’s mission of AI for Good and For All, which includes a Principled AI Framework that integrates the UNESCO Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a specific focus on Climate Action and Life on Land.

About the AI for Earth Scholarship

Designed for maximum flexibility, the scholarship provides 750 students with high-impact, asynchronous learning. The curriculum features Machine Learning Foundations 1 & 2 workshops alongside ten specialized modules tailored to environmental applications. In addition to a full year of access to the AI Literacy for Everyone platform, recipients earn digital LinkedIn badges that include an overview of learning objectives and competency alignment —providing a clear, demonstrable advantage to future employers.

The AI for Earth Scholarship Program builds on Amii’s long-standing track record of providing best-in-class AI literacy training to more than 250,000 individuals. It is the most recent addition to Amii-led Canadian Sovereign AI initiatives, including AI Pathways: Energizing Canada’s Low-Carbon Workforce, a new initiative supported by the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Training Fund, the AI Literacy for Everyone platform, and K-12 AI Literacy.


Help Shape the Future of Earth Sciences. Limited spots are available. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2026. Apply for the AI for Earth scholarship today!

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