artificial intelligence

Articles about how artificial intelligence is being used in advancing geospatial technologies.

Spatial Analysis

Researchers are Using Machine Learning to Better Predict Weather Patterns

August 24, 2017By Caitlin DempseySpatial Analysis

The enormous amount of data from Earth-observing satellites is pushing researchers to use machine learning to mine the information and improve climate models.

Using Visual Search to Find Geographically Similar Features on Satellite Imagery

March 7, 2017By Caitlin DempseySpatial Analysis

Descartes Labs recently unveiled its GeoVisual Search application which uses machine learning to visually search satellite imagery for similar geographic features.

Flood susceptibility map from Tehran et al., 2015.

GIS and Innovations in Machine Learning

November 9, 2016By Mark AltaweelSpatial Analysis

Machine learning or artificial techniques has been rapidly transforming many areas related to GIS and spatial applications

The examples on the left are the query photos. In response, PlaNet will output a probability distribution on the map. In these three examples, the Eiffel Tower (a) is confidently assigned to Paris, the model believes that the fjord photo (b) could have been taken in either New Zealand or Norway. For the beach photo (c), PlaNet assigns the highest probability to southern California (correct), but some probability mass is also assigned to places with similar beaches, like Mexico and the Mediterranean. The authors use a model with a much lower spatial resolution than the full model for visualization purposes. Source: Weyand, Kostrikov, & Philbin, 2016.

Google’s PlaNet: Geolocating Photos Using Artificial Intelligence

March 11, 2016By A.J. RohnGIS Learning

Google and researchers at the RheinischWestfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University have developed an artificial intelligence system capable of identifying locations more consistently accurately than a human is able to do.

Dense settlements (left) can take advantage of short-range wireless hotspots. Sparse settlements (right) require long-range cellular technology. Images: Digitalglobe.

GIS and Artificial Intelligence Used to Build Facebook’s World Population Map

March 1, 2016By Troy LambertGIS Data

Facebook has used a combination of existing GIS data, high resolution imagery, and artificial intelligence to develop a detailed population map of the world.

Orbital Insight uses shadows detected on satellite imagery to track construction rates in Nanjing, China.

Orbital Insight Exemplifies How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Can Be Used to Study Images from Space

October 20, 2015By Zachary RomanoGIS Learning

Orbital Insights has developed a “deep learning” processes which uses artificial intelligence to pull data from satellite imagery.

Mapping Noise Pollution

As noise pollution continues to be a major issue for expanding urban areas, novel geospatial technologies have been deployed to better monitor and measure noise pollution.

Automated Land Cover Maps

Automating the generation of land cover maps from satellite imagery is becoming easier due to learning-based algorithms improving the understanding of signal data.

Elements of a Map

Maps are the primary tools by which spatial relationships are visualized. Maps therefore become important documents. There are several key elements that should be included each time a map is created in order to aid the viewer in understanding the communications of that map and to document the source of […]

Learn GIS for Free

There are a few online options to learn GIS for free. Take advantage of resources that provide you access to free courses from some of the world’s best universities and institutions. Learn GIS on your own or supplement your existing geospatial education with these free resources.