I’m Bid Oscar Hountondji, an ECR in the Environmental Intelligence theme of the AI4CI research hub and a PhD student at the University of Exeter. I’m originally from Benin, in West Africa, where I completed my undergraduate studies in Applied Statistics. For my final-year dissertation, I worked on Statistical Modelling of Parity Rates in Benin using Zero-Inflated Poisson Models.
Following that, I worked for two years as a Statistician at the Benin Ministry of Health. I used predictive analytics to forecast patient outcomes, hospital readmissions, and disease progression. One of the most impactful experiences was leading real-time data reporting and statistical analysis for the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This experience made me realise how much more I could contribute if I deepened my expertise, which led me to return to university.
I then pursued a Master’s in AI for Collective Intelligence at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Morocco. It was during this program that I truly advanced my research skills. My thesis on Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Fuzzy Logic focused on developing AI-based decision-support models, deepening my interest in combining technical AI with human reasoning.
I hope to continue working in research and innovation at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Environmental Intelligence.
What are you working on?
My current research falls into the big theme of “Smart Agents for Complex Environmental Data Analysis”. I’m particularly developing LLM-based smart agents for advanced geospatial reasoning and natural language interaction with Earth Observation (EO) data. The goal is to make EO products more accessible and easier to analyse, so that individuals and organisations can extract insights, not only for their own purposes but also to support global environmental and sustainability objectives.
One ongoing application is my multi-agent system, which integrates LLM-based reasoning with the Welsh Open Data Cube to provide conversational, on-demand environmental insights.
What excites you most about your field of research?
It’s without a doubt how we bring together three forms of intelligence: Environmental, Artificial, and Collective. Environmental Intelligence (EI) helps us understand the state and dynamics of our planet. Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables us to reason, predict, and discover hidden patterns in Earth data. Collective Intelligence (CI) allows diverse communities, scientists, AI systems, and decision-makers to act together.
In our current world, where we face many environmental challenges, I believe we can come together to protect our planet through various means, including Artificial Intelligence.
Who has influenced your academic journey?
Almost everyone I’ve met so far. I value everyone equally and learn from everyone. I always consider myself the result of the collective input of people I have met throughout my life, whether in Benin, Morocco, or here in the UK.
I’ve come across, and I’m still surrounded by, inspiring people (teachers, lecturers, staff members, researchers, colleagues) who, directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously, have shaped me into the person I am today. I’m so grateful for every single interaction I had with each of you. Many thanks to my current supervisors for their guidance.
Can you recommend a paper you think we should read?
For anyone interested in my research, I would recommend the recent paper ‘Artificial intelligence to advance Earth observation: A review of models, recent trends, and pathways forward’ by Tuia et al., 2024. It gives an excellent synthesis of where AI4EO is heading. It covers deep learning, data cubes, physics-aware ML, ethics, and the emerging role of language-based user interaction and EO chatbots.
Generally speaking, I think everyone should understand the concept of “Tragedy of the Commons” by Garrett Hardin and “Natural Selection” by Charles Darwin.
What are your ‘Top Tips’ for early career researchers?
I’ve just started the journey, so I might not have much to say. I’m going to repeat exactly what I tell myself anytime I’m down and don’t want to work. “See, at this stage of your journey, everyone is smart. What keeps people at the top and sets them apart is consistency, even when motivation is low or when things feel uncertain or difficult.”
Find a work–life balance that works best for you, not just what others recommend. Talk to people about what you’re doing. You’ll be surprised how people outside your field can give new ideas, challenge your thinking, or even help you see your work from an entirely new perspective.