Air pollution in China has created an enormous opportunity for tech companies. Pollution forecasting has become a fast-growing emerging market in China. Global giants IBM and Microsoft are currently competing for the top spot in this niche market.

Beijing has issued two red alerts for severe pollution this month. Red alerts mean that the city will experience serious pollution for more than three days.

Pollution warnings rely on advanced pollution forecasts. The Chinese government currently hopes to implement a better monitoring system. There is a growing public demand for better pollution forecasting.

Microsoft and IBM have both developed technology for pollution forecasting, and has each received its first batch of customers—Chinese government bureaus.

IBM’s first customer was the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection. The Bureau’s air pollution warning system now uses IBM technology.

Earlier this month, IBM’s Green Horizons initiative partnered with the Bureau to create the Joint Environmental Innovation Center in order to develop a plan to reduce emissions in China.

IBM has also signed a city with the agreement of Zhangjiakou to create a response program before the 2022 Winter Olympics. Zhangjiakou will co-host the games with Beijing.

Microsoft has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Fujian Environmental Protection Bureau, and the Chengdu Environmental Protection Bureau. The tech giant has developed a website and app called Urban Air that can predict air quality 48 hours in advance.

Source: inews.qq.com

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Keywords: IBM China pollution Microsoft