China is using an AI-based facial recognition system to monitor fish movement in Tibet’s largest river, replacing manual counting methods. The system is installed on the Zangmu Hydropower Station, a 116-meter-tall dam on the middle reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo river, operational since 2015 and featuring a fishway for upstream aquatic travel. About 570,000 rare fish have successfully navigated this route with its help. The AI focuses on identifying species unique to China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, according to Global Times. Monitoring results show the fish population in the middle reaches is stable, said Yang Xiaocheng, director of safety and environmental protection at the dam: “From the monitoring results, the fish population in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo is very stable and has not decreased because of the construction of the hydropower station.” Xiaocheng also highlighted the station’s positive impact on aquatic ecology and animal-plant life in the entire middle gorge section, indicating that despite altering natural water bodies, hydropower facilities can benefit local ecosystems.