Gray whales, which migrate from Alaska to Mexico annually, have started making impromptu stops in San Francisco Bay, increasing the risk of boat collisions. To address this, thermal cameras combined with artificial intelligence are being used to help ships navigate safely around the whales. The initiative aims to reduce the likelihood of collisions by detecting and tracking the whales in real-time. According to the source, the thermal cameras are designed to detect heat signatures of the whales, while the AI system processes this data to identify and track their movements. The system is integrated into the ships' navigation systems, allowing for timely adjustments to avoid potential collisions. This technology is part of a broader effort to protect marine life while ensuring safe maritime operations. The implementation of this system comes as gray whales have increasingly been observed stopping in the bay during their migration, a trend that has raised concerns among environmentalists and maritime authorities. *Source: [ieee](https://spectrum.ieee.org/whales-ai-thermal-camera-tracking)*