Bloomberg Interviews Stellerus Technology - AI Weather Model Revolutionises Ultra-Precise Forecasting

Recently, Bloomberg columnist Mary Hui interviewed Professor Hui Su and Professor Limin Zhang, co-founders of Stellerus Technology Limited (hereafter referred to as Stellerus Tech), to explore in depth the AI flood and landslide risk prediction models developed by their team. This article is compiled based on Mary Hui’s report; it is not a word-for-word translation, and some expressions have been adjusted from the original. To read the original English article, please visit the following link:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-04-13/ai-weather-models-promise-super-granular-specialist-forecasts?embedded-checkout=true

Achieving Rapid and Fine-Grained Weather Forecasting

With climate change, extreme weather events have become more frequent in recent years, making precise weather forecasts and disaster warnings especially important. The rapid development and popularisation of AI weather models have brought innovation to weather prediction, achieving breakthroughs particularly in ultra-fine weather forecasting. In this transformation, Stellerus Tech, a high-tech company successfully incubated by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has become a focal point. Building on rainfall forecasts, the team applies machine learning to rapidly simulate and predict the likelihood of flooding on every street in Hong Kong within just three minutes, enabling near real-time updates and warnings.

Over the past two years, Hong Kong has experienced a series of extreme rainfall events and frequent flooding disasters. Source: Justin Chin/Bloomberg

Artificial Intelligence and Satellite Data

Stellerus Tech’s business is not limited to rainfall forecasting and flood warnings. Professor Hui Su, HKUST Chair Professor and co-founder of Stellerus Tech, stated that although specific industries and companies have an urgent need for customized weather forecasts, public meteorological agencies currently cannot provide such tailored services. Additionally, they use AI technology to analyse carbon satellite data to accurately monitor greenhouse gas emissions from specific factories and vessels.

Collaboration with the Insurance Industry

Professors Hui Su and Limin Zhang’s team are collaborating with Taiping Reinsurance Company Limited (a professional reinsurance subsidiary of China Taiping Insurance Group, hereafter Taiping Reinsurance) to develop a Hong Kong flood catastrophe model. This will further empower the insurance industry to send precise flood warnings to clients and policyholders. For example, car owners can receive SMS alerts before heavy rains arrive, allowing them to move vehicles out of garages at risk of flooding in time. With extreme precipitation events becoming more frequent and floods accounting for an increasing proportion of insurance losses, Stellerus Tech’s technology can help insurance companies better assess risks and provide more targeted services.

Professors Limin Zhang (left) and Hui Su (right), co-founders of Stellerus Tech, discuss simulation results of the September 2023 Hong Kong extreme rainfall-induced landslides and floods. Source: Stellerus Tech

For consultation and research collaboration, please contact Professor Hui Su at cehsu@ust.hk.