China’s AI weather system aids Pakistan’s climate resilience
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In 2024, Pakistan’s National Weather Forecasting Centre sent a team to China to learn about and adapt the MAZU AI weather forecasting platform for use in Pakistan.
MAZU, meaning “multi-hazard, alert, zero-gap and universal,” is also the name of a Chinese sea goddess. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) began using a tailored version of the system in October 2025, integrating it with existing weather data and satellites.
Chinese officials see MAZU as a way to help developing countries manage the effects of climate change, with President Xi Jinping announcing plans to provide AI training and access to the system for 30 countries. Beyond Pakistan, MAZU has been deployed in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Mongolia, and several other nations, and China supports virtual trials for over 40 more. While experts welcome the use of AI in forecasting, they caution that MAZU is not a perfect solution.
They emphasize the importance of accurate ground data, as AI systems can produce inaccurate local forecasts without it. Pakistan, in particular, faces challenges due to sparse ground stations and difficult terrain, limiting the system’s ability to predict highly localized events. Effective implementation also requires collaboration between government, businesses, and communities, as well as open access to weather data.
