FortyGuard: Using AI to Combat Urban Heat in Cities Across the Globe

As urbanization continues to accelerate, cities worldwide grapple with rising temperatures caused by the urban heat island effect. Urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural regions in this phenomenon. This effect stems from materials like concrete and asphalt absorbing and radiating heat, vehicle emissions, and reduced wind flow due to towering buildings. The impacts of this heat are profound, ranging from health risks to reduced productivity. Recognizing the need for actionable solutions, FortyGuard, an Abu Dhabi-based startup founded by Jay Sadiq, is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to tackle urban heat on a global scale.

FortyGuard’s innovative platform collects 32 billion data points daily, utilizing AI to create detailed models of urban heat dynamics. These models consider a city’s elevation, vegetation, water bodies, and atmospheric conditions, providing a granular understanding of urban temperature patterns. Unlike traditional meteorological data, which often lacks precision, FortyGuard’s approach maps urban heat at a 10-square-meter resolution with 89% accuracy in some U.S. cities. This groundbreaking level of detail equips urban planners, businesses, and residents with actionable insights to combat extreme heat effectively.

The urban heat island effect exacerbates the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in densely populated areas. Studies predict that by 2100, half and three-quarters of the global population could face life-threatening extreme heat and humidity. Vulnerable groups, including young children and the elderly, are particularly at risk, with heat-related mortality among those aged 65 and older increasing by approximately 85% between 2017 and 2021. Rising temperatures also disrupt sleep, hinder daytime productivity, and intensify challenges for outdoor workers.

Despite growing awareness of urban heat, detailed temperature data must be available. Traditional weather stations are often located in areas representative of urban environments, such as airports or hillsides. At the same time, satellites need help to capture ground-level temperatures beneath tree canopies and buildings. Some cities have adopted innovative approaches, such as mounting sensors on streetlights or buses, but these solutions have yet to be widespread. FortyGuard bridges this gap by providing highly accurate, localized temperature data, enabling stakeholders to implement targeted heat mitigation strategies.

FortyGuard has already demonstrated its value through collaborations with clients such as Masdar City, a sustainable urban project in the UAE. By identifying heat hotspots, the company has recommended solutions like planting trees and adding water features to reduce urban temperatures. Looking ahead, FortyGuard envisions integrating its urban heat intelligence into platforms such as real estate or mapping services. This could empower homebuyers to identify more excellent neighborhoods or joggers to plan optimal routes.

The startup operates at the intersection of technology and urban planning, aiming to position itself as a leading provider of urban heat intelligence. Sadiq believes that AI-driven urban heat data has the potential to transform city planning, much like Google’s recent Heat Resilience tool, which applies AI to aerial and satellite imagery to address extreme heat. However, experts emphasize the importance of understanding how AI is trained and how urban heat data is utilized.

James Voogt, a professor of urban climatology at the University of Western Ontario, highlights the need for high-resolution temperature data in urban environments. In contrast, Chao Ren, an applied climatology specialist at the University of Hong Kong, stresses the importance of translating this data into practical solutions. According to Ren, “Who will be the end user of your data, and who will put such urban heat information into their practices?”

With offices in Abu Dhabi and San Jose, California, FortyGuard is addressing a pressing global issue and carving out a unique niche in the tech industry. The company’s innovative use of AI to combat urban heat has the potential to reshape city planning and improve the quality of life for millions. Sadiq notes, “Our approach goes beyond measuring air temperature at a specific time.” By providing actionable, high-resolution insights, FortyGuard is helping cities worldwide adapt to the challenges of a warming planet.