The Inspiration
The idea emerged in 2018 when Ryan saw footage of the deadly Camp Fire. He was traveling at the time and the burning hills resembled those near his home, prompting him to call his mom to ensure she was safe.
He watched the news in dismay as 85 people were killed and over 18,000 structures destroyed. After learning that most of the devastation occurred within the first six hours, he grew determined to make a difference.
An image of the Camp Fire captured by Landsat 8 on November 8, 2018.
The Science Project
The idea emerged in 2018 when Ryan saw footage of the deadly Camp Fire. He was traveling at the time and the burning hills resembled those near his home, prompting him to call his mom to ensure she was safe.
In 2019, he entered his fifth science project, an early wildfire detection network, into Ignite Innovation Student Challenge. It took home the $10,000 grand prize and virtual mentorship from Tata Consultancy Services.
He added Machine Learning (ML) capabilities to his device, enabling it to predict the growth of a wildfire with a high degree of accuracy before entering several more competitions in 2020. Among them was the Broadcom Masters, where he finished in the Top 30 out of 3,500 students.
The Start of SensoRy AI
Ryan’s success caught the attention of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) who presented him with an ONR Naval Science Award, and not long after, he founded SensoRy AI to further the development of his technology.
In 2022, Ryan received financial support from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) and partnered with them, along with the Orange County Fire Authority to conduct pilots at IRC’s native seed farm, as well OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space.
These successful tests led to a partnership between SensoRy AI, IRC, OFCA, and the City of Irvine for the system’s first permanent deployment in February 2025.
The initial installation focuses on a high-risk area within the Irvine Open Space Preserve, which is a part of nearly 40,000 acres of interconnected open space owned by the City of Irvine, OC Parks, and California State Parks in the Irvine Open Space.
Ryan remains committed to the development of Sensory AI. He hopes to attend Stanford University and partner with its prestigious Wildfire Resilience program to advance early detection technology.
Advancing Climate Solutions
While building partnerships to expand his solution, Ryan is also creating opportunities for other youth who care about the planet. In 2023 he launched the Climate Solutions Society (CSS) at the LearningPlanet Festival.
The nonprofit offers students an educational platform, hands-on learning, technology access and mentorship, empowering them to take action, regardless of background or resources.
CSS now has chapters in high schools across California, where teens develop AI/STEM solutions for environmental challenges. Ryan plans to grow the program internationally, with a focus on underresourced communities that might not otherwise have access to STEM programs or technology.
Awards & Recogntitions
As a result of his work with SensoRy AI and CSS, Ryan has received numerous honors, including being named a Learning Planet Fellow and a Top 10 Finalist for the 2024 Earth Prize. Additionally, Ryan has been invited to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York on multiple occasions as a Youth Leader, where he discussed AI-driven climate solutions and STEM education.
