The market potential for Earth Observation solutions is significant.

In a discussion moderated by Muthukumar Kumar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Earth Observation, representatives from technology companies, consulting, and science gathered to explore the potential of AI in interpreting the massive data from Earth Observation. Participants in the constructive and controversial discussion included Aleksander Buczkowski, Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers PwC Global Centre of Excellence in Drone and Earth Observation Technologies, Annett Wania from the Earth Observation company 'Planet,' Arnis Kadakovskis from the EU Agency for the Space Programme, Laura Costa, Co-founder of the data company 'tilebox,' and Dobrina Laleva from the technology company Up42. There was consensus that the market potential for Earth Observation solutions is significant. Standardization of data and processes is a core element to foster industry growth. Rapid data access is crucial to unlocking the value of the data. The participants identified potential in areas such as agriculture, forestry, and resource protection. Drones and satellite data can complement each other, not competing, and a combination of both technologies is conceivable. Earth Observation data needs to become more local and temporally denser. Participants are open to and have high expectations for the increased use of AI in Earth Observation, believing it can bring substantial value and 'change things for the better' in almost all applications. According to consultant Buczkowski, 'We are at the beginning of our journey with AI,' and significant developments are expected in the next three to five years. Annett Wania from Planet expressed the need for a 'ChatGPT for Geospatial Data' to navigate the 'tsunami of data,' stating that the revolution has just begun.