The geospatial industry is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades. At a recent panel discussion, five leaders from across the field gathered to share their perspectives on AI, data infrastructure, workforce development, and what comes next. What emerged was a picture of an industry brimming with potential but grappling with real challenges around communication, talent, and trust.
A New Kind of AI
Dr. Aaron Morris, Global Director of AI for Woolpert, Inc., opened with a bold prediction about where artificial intelligence is headed. He describes the shift as "codification," where established workflows are being trained into systems rather than simply emulated through software. It is a distinction that matters. Rather than building tools that mimic human behavior, the industry is beginning to teach machines to perform complex geospatial processes from the ground up.
Morris has written extensively on this topic, and in a recent deep dive into GeoAI, he described the field as the combination of sensing, AI, and GIS data, with geospatial scale and sensor data making it a uniquely complex challenge compared to other forms of artificial intelligence. He sees AI ultimately functioning as an "information amplifier," combining geospatially aligned sensors to produce richer, more actionable outputs. He also pointed to the rise of Agentic AI as something worth watching, calling it a force for democratizing access to spatial information and potentially closing longstanding gaps between those who have access to data and those who do not.
Breaking Down Silos
A recurring theme throughout the conversation was the fragmentation of data across industries and organizations. Andrew Brenner, Vice-President Solutions Engineering at NV5, described the old world of geospatial as one where "the GIS lab was stuck in the basement." That era is over. Today, geospatial data is woven into IT systems, decision-making platforms, and digital twins. The challenge now, as Brenner put it, is not just collecting data but asking the right questions: "Who cares?" and "So what?"
Dan Bellissimo, Director of LiDAR and Remote Sensing at GIS Surveyors, Inc., echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about the prospect of meshing data across sectors. He pointed to utilities, autonomous vehicles, and indoor logistics as areas where breaking down data silos could unlock transformative solutions. He also offered a grounding note for anyone expecting AI to do all the heavy lifting: "AI is not replacing anyone yet. It's just another tool." Clients, he cautioned, need to understand there is no magic button.
The Communication Gap
Rachel Dempsey, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the National Ocean Service at NOAA, brought a perspective shaped by years as an end-user in the Navy and as an advocate on Capitol Hill. Her message was clear: geospatial information is not just a technical asset, it is a national one. "Geospatial information is the backbone of the modern digital infrastructure," she said, underscoring how everything from geodetic data to tides and bathymetry supports navigation, disaster preparedness, and urban planning. Without a consistent geodetic frame, she noted, modern technologies simply do not fit together.
Dempsey is most excited about the upcoming modernization of the National Spatial Reference System, set for delivery in 2027. The update will allow continuous data updates, reflecting the Earth as the dynamic, living system it actually is rather than a static snapshot.
Decision-Grade Data and the Big Table
Aaron Addison, Executive Director of the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC), framed the moment with a Mark Twain quote: "It's not what you don't know that gets you in trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't true." His point was that geospatial professionals now have a real opportunity to sit at the table where decisions are made, but only if they can prove the quality and trustworthiness of their data. In a profile published by Geo Week News, Addison expanded on his philosophy, noting that he deliberately avoids overhyping AI because while it can do some things well, there is a much bigger list of things it cannot do.
He introduced the concept of "decision-grade data," meaning data paired with a clear understanding of the AI model behind it rather than a black box output. And like Dempsey, he stressed the importance of speaking in terms that resonate outside the industry. If a farmer asks whether to plant his field today, he does not want a lecture on sensor fusion. He needs a yes or a no.
Advice for the Next Generation
The panelists closed with advice for young professionals entering the field. Morris emphasized the power of networks and broad skill sets. Dempsey encouraged newcomers to talk to as many people as possible and explore how geospatial data connects to policy, economics, and science. Brenner urged students to become problem solvers and seek practical experience outside the classroom. Bellissimo stressed the importance of spatial logic and the willingness to pivot. Addison recommended flexibility and travel early in a career, describing diverse experiences as capital that compounds over time.
The message across the board was consistent: the geospatial industry is no longer a niche technical field confined to specialists. It is becoming the connective tissue of how societies understand and respond to their world. The professionals who will thrive in this next decade are those who can bridge the gap between data and decisions, and who can make the case for why that work matters to everyone.
