As 2026 begins, many geospatial professionals will continue to evolve alongside an industry that is expanding and becoming more interconnected. Tech that once felt new and exciting, such as AI-assisted analysis, cloud-native workflows, and 3D environments, are now part of many day-to-day operations. For some professionals, the challenge ahead is less about keeping up with change and more about making deliberate choices about where to focus time and training.
Across careers spanning surveying, GIS, mapping, remote sensing, and geospatial data science, 2026 offers an opportunity to sharpen skills, and strengthen professional networks.
Strengthen Communication Skills
As geospatial data becomes increasingly important for broader decision-making in many organizations, the ability to explain spatial insights is important for many different roles. In some organizations, geospatial professionals are asked to use their insights to support teams who may not think spatially by default.
In 2026, brushing up on communication skills to turn complex data and imagery into easily digestible content like concise summaries, or clear visuals can be as valuable as learning a new software tool. This includes translating technical results into business or operational implications without oversimplifying the data or making unsupported claims.
Spend time this year refining how geospatial work is presented, not just how it is produced.
Reinvest in In-Person Learning
February 16-18, 2026 | Colorado Convention Center | Denver, CO, USA **Early Bird Pricing Ends 1/16**Join Us at Geo Week 2026!
While attending events in 2026, challenge yourself to ask the practical questions: Which tools are delivering measurable value? What skills are employers and clients quietly prioritizing? Conversations on the show floor, in technical sessions, and during networking events can surface insights that could’ve been missed otherwise.
Treat conferences as working sessions and spaces to evaluate and challenge how geospatial work is done with other industry professionals.
Understand the Role of AI
AI continues to reshape geospatial workflows, and professionals in some organizations are expected to understand not only what these tools can do but also where they fall short. Automated feature extraction and predictive models can save time, but they also introduce new assumptions and potential sources of error.
In 2026, a useful resolution could be to focus less on learning every new AI tool and more on understanding when AI is useful, and when it hinders good work.
Jason Stoker, who has spent his career advancing USGS’s 3D mapping initiatives, highlights in an interview with Geo Week News that “AI is becoming more prevalent, but human-centered design will always remain a core component of strategy.” Being able to explain when AI-generated outputs are reliable and when they require human review can add credibility to geospatial teams and help manage expectations.
Improve Data Management and Interoperability Practices
As datasets grow larger, geospatial professionals are frequently involved in managing data structure and accessibility. For many organizations, 2026 means shifting attention towards cloud-optimized formats, and standardized workflows that make data easier to share and reuse.
“Formats like COGs, COPC, Zarr, GeoParquet, and modern point-cloud streaming protocols are revolutionizing how we store and access massive datasets,” says Jason Stoker. “STAC is quietly becoming the backbone of discoverability and interoperability for geospatial data.”
Aaron Addison, in an interview with Geo Week News, also mentioned interoperability as something to look out for in the next 5 years, stating that it will become increasingly important. “It’s not flashy or exciting,” he said, “but massive headway has been made.” Moving away from proprietary formats toward APIs and standardized data access, he added, has removed long-standing barriers to sharing and reuse.
A key resolution in the new year is to treat data management as a professional skill, not just a background task. Investing time in documentation, version control, and interoperability can pay off when projects scale or move between teams.
Professional Growth in 2026
As the geospatial field continues to evolve, many professionals are becoming responsible for charting their own development paths. This may involve pursuing certifications, learning new tools, seeking mentorship, or simply being more intentional about the types of projects undertaken. This is why we’ve put together this list of ways to step it up in 2026. These resolutions are just some of the ways geospatial professionals can level up their skills in the new year to keep up with this ever-evolving industry. Happy New Year!
