By Agendra Kumar
The current buzzword in the field of technology is Generative AI, which has gained significant attention due to its captivating abilities to generate creative and original content. Novel innovations in 2024 will take Gen AI to new levels of maturity, bringing out important dimensions that will help businesses reshape the way they operate. In the past year, we have seen the development of multimodal AI systems that could process diverse information in the form of text, images, 3D, audio, video, etc. In 2024, these technologies will become more seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. There will be an increasing emphasis on real-time fine-tuning, empowering AI models to dynamically adapt and comprehend current data. This evolution will propel advancements in AI applications across various industries.
Particularly, in the realm of geospatial technologies, the Geospatial Information System (GIS) technology will continue to establish itself as a transformative powerhouse, with applications spanning a multitude of critical sectors such as urban planning, agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster response. GIS, by taking on a synergistic role with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data, will elevate the precision of business outcomes. This synergy will bring novel advantages to tasks like site selection for infrastructure or commercial projects, optimizing intricate supply chains, and myriad other applications across core verticals such as banking and financial services, retail, manufacturing, and utilities. As GIS technology’s usability increasingly comes to the fore, we will witness greater adoption in 2024 and beyond, helping the country realize the vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Challenges and Opportunities for GIS in India
Realizing the unique benefits the technology brings, the Government of India is actively taking steps to make the use of GIS mainstream. Along with making immense progress in terms of conducive policies such as the National Geospatial Policy, it is regularly engaging in consultations with stakeholders and experts to expand the implementation of GIS solutions in the country. The scenario is extremely positive for the GIS industry to witness tremendous growth in the near future.
However, like every sector, there are a few challenges that need to be combated here as well. For instance, the lack of adequate talent is a major hurdle as the sector requires personnel well-versed in data management, analytics, AI, and ML tools. According to a recent report by EY, 81% of organizations surveyed are facing a shortage of the desired tech skills, and GIS is among these industries. In this evolving scenario, the GIS sector is witnessing robust industry-academia collaboration, with leading names in the arena already taking steps to help students acquire knowledge and proficiency in GIS. Going ahead, these efforts need to continue, even as the Government and educational institutes of the country step in to broaden the curriculum with a focus on revolutionary technology and its manifold applications.
Emerging Trends and Future Prospects
The evolution of GIS in India has taken place at a rapid pace, and we will certainly witness even greater adoption in 2024 and beyond. A key enabler here would be the ability to integrate IoT devices with GIS for real-time data collection and analysis. Such capabilities would permit enterprises to gain valuable insights into their operations and achieve better efficiencies. Further, advancements in spatial analytics and visualization techniques have also emerged as a major trend, enabling user organizations to analyze data with greater accuracy and make better decisions. Of late, we have been seeing cloud-based, easy-to-use and scale solutions in the GIS arena. These tools can help organizations access GIS data anywhere, any time, on any device, and in a much more affordable manner. As GIS becomes more accessible through cloud-based solutions and user-friendly interfaces, its potential for addressing complex challenges, from urban planning to disaster management, grows exponentially. We are looking at trends like the integration of various types of data in GIS systems, data portals to enable easy sharing of data, and Geo-Hubs to create more collaborative working environments and increase community engagement.
Another major transformation involves the merger of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) with GIS applications. These technologies enable enterprises to visualize GIS data in novel ways and provide a deeper visual understanding of the operations. Digital twins and 3D digital twins are also set to be instrumental in providing organizations with a precise understanding of their operations. GIS and digital twins are revolutionizing decision-making and transforming work processes. Esri’s geospatial technology is instrumental in this transformation, as it connects data, systems, models, and behaviors with spatial context.
The application of AI fused with geospatial data, science, and technology is already accelerating real-world understanding of business opportunities, environmental impacts, and operational risks. We call this Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). GeoAI is transforming the speed at which we extract meaning from complex datasets, thereby aiding us in addressing the earth’s most pressing challenges. Organizations leveraging GeoAI are revolutionizing how they turn data into information, with models that adapt even as data evolves. This trend will continue to gain momentum in 2024. Additionally, with GenAI integration, it will be possible to automate map creation, and other geospatial data creation and management.
As we move to 2024, these technological advancements will transform the way geospatial technologies are being consumed. Customized GIS solutions based on Indian datasets that adeptly address India-centric challenges are also going to play a vital role in helping enterprises achieve not only more agility, lower complexity, and reduced costs but also sustainable and inclusive growth.
The author is Managing Director, Esri India.
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