In the first phase of a two-phase research project, the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC) will develop a body of knowledge on the current AI/ML practices and experiences in the geospatial industry.
The WGIC announced the start of policy research aimed to assess the relevance and popularity of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) applications in the geospatial industry, and their implications on data privacy and personal information, intellectual property control and protection, socio-economic bias and ethics.
Policies and regulations need to keep up with the fast-paced AI/ML revolution
Arnout Desmet, Chair, Policy Development & Advocacy Committee WGIC speaking about the WGIC’s Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning study aimed at developing a practical policy framework.
According to Arnout Desmet, Chair of the WGIC Policy Development and Advocacy Committee, “Over the last few years, the geospatial industry has experienced rapid growth of AI/ML applications. We are witnessing a wide range of AI/ML use cases and opportunities with great promise in terms of innovation, breakthrough efficiency gains, and address previously unsolvable problems.”
He further said, “While AI/ML uptake brings a myriad of potential opportunities to the geospatial sector, we realize there will also be challenges. Public authorities struggle with their role in policymaking and regulation of this fast-paced AI/ML revolution. We at the Policy Committee believe it is important to engage with policy-makers based on a proper assessment of aspects related to data privacy and personal information, intellectual property control and protection, ethics, and socio-economic equality.”
WGIC AI/ML market study to assist in public debate in the geospatial industry
Through a market study, the WGIC Policy Committee intends to strengthen the public debate and support authorities across the globe in developing an effective and balanced AI/ML policy framework that will enable the geospatial industry to maximize the benefits of this new technology revolution while securing a positive impact on society in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the first phase, the Policy Committee intends to develop a body of knowledge on current AI/ML practices and experiences in the geospatial industry and the emerging policy domains and challenges. As part of the study, the research team will be tapping into the accumulated expertise of the WGIC Members, complemented with opinion leaders, leading academia, and technology visionaries. The first phase’s outcome will be shared widely in roundtables and workshops with relevant stakeholders to define further policy recommendations and best practices, guidelines, and standards of conduct related to AI/ML deployment in geospatial products, applications, and services.
About WGIC’s Policy Development & Advocacy Committee
The WGIC Patron and Executive Boards established the Policy Development & Advocacy Committee to research and document relevant policy domains impacting the geospatial industry, and engage with stakeholders in academia, industry, the public sector, and civil society around the prioritized themes.