Advancing the productivity of science with citizen science and artificial intelligence

International audienceCitizen science is a form of scientific inquiry where members of the public engage in scientific investigations, often in collaboration with, or under the direction of, professional scientists and scientific institutions. It supports scientific research and applied sciences through a wide range of activities and across diverse topics. Thanks to advances in communication and computing technologies, the public can collaboratively participate in new ways in citizen science projects. For example, participants submit observations and samples about the environment via eBird, iNaturalist or the EchidnaCSI project, among other platforms. They also engage on line by transcribing historical documents or classifying photographs, audio and video via platforms such as DigiVol or Zooniverse. In other cases, participants collaboratively solve mathematical problems via the Polymath Project, or play online games via Foldit, to inform medical research. The public disseminates project outcomes as well