Geospatial AI: Enhancing Insights and Transforming Industries

~ Sabari Karthick, 3rd year, B.E. Geoinformatics

From primitive methods of documenting our surroundings to developing detailed paper maps for specific geographical features using cartographic symbols, and now to constructing comprehensive digital geographic information systems (GIS), our mapping techniques have advanced exponentially They have undergone a significant transformation by blending with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - the buzzwords that have been dominating conversations in recent years. GeoAI is the result of this blend

Geospatial Artificial Intelligence is a concept that combines Geospatial Analysis and advances in Artificial Intelligence. By utilizing the power of supercomputing, Geospatial AI can extract and provide significant insights through inputs from satellite imagery and remote sensing The use of AI in GIS analysis predicts a region's "future"

Technologies like Geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) allows for the analysis of spatial data and the generation of maps and simulations to anticipate future outcomes a cross various scenarios New York City has implemented a GeoAI-powered algorithm that assists garbage collectors in determining the optimal route based on the fullness of trash cans. In Utah, a Geospatial AI algorithm that utilizes Machine Learning has been developed to forecast car accident hotspots along specific road segments. Google Flu Trends also utilizes AI to quickly identify areas of high flu activity in the United States These are merely a few examples from a vast array of spatial analytic applications

In the upcoming decade, the quantity of satellites revolving around the earth is expected to increase five-fold These satellites will be equipped with sensors that gather data regarding diverse environmental factors such as temperature, precipitati on, wind, soil conditions, and more This means that there will be even more geospatial data available from satellites and at a much lower cost. GeoAI could be used to harness this data to drive insights for decision-makers to tackle a bigger threatclimate change The cloud-based Google Earth Engine (GEE) combines a multi-petabyte catalogue of satellite imagery and geospatial datasets with planetary-scale analysis capabilities, enabling scientists, researchers, and developers to detect changes, map trends, and quantify differences on the Earth's surface. The knowledge gained from these perspectives assists us in more effectively utilizing resources, comprehending potential hazards, forecasting transformations, reacting to calamities, and delivering Earth-based data in decision-making scenarios as we tackle the predicament of climate change

GeoAI offers businesses the ability to make projections and predictions about various aspects of an area, such as human movement patterns, economic conditions, natural resource usage, pollution levels, and much more. These insights are valuable in developing business strategies, including market planning, site selection, product selection, and asset maintenance. In the healthcare industry, GeoAI is utilized to map our environment, linking the places we frequent with environmental, social, and other factors that may have an impact on our health During natural disasters, GeoAI analyses rapidly changing geospatial data to assess damage levels and provide direction for relief efforts

As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more innovative uses for GeoAI, and it will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping our understanding of the world around us