Artificially GIS

The machines are coming for our jobs!!!

This has been the outcry for most of my adult life. Fears over technology replacing human output are not new, but recent developments in large-language models and artificial intelligence really have intensified these fears.

But is this a valid concern? Will we actually lose our jobs? Maybe some of us… but for the most part we are asking the wrong question. We should instead ask: how will AI enable us to work smarter? How will we use AI to solve new geospatial problems in innovative ways?

What is the actual threat? There are a couple of factors that have raised concerns. Firstly, AI is capable to produce maps faster and cheaper than an analyst. It is a lot more accurate. AI is also able to see patterns in things and apply predictive modeling that humans cannot.

At the end of the day, AI will not be able to replace the creativity that drives the human mind. It will never be able to replicate the artistry required to create visually appealing maps. AI can only solve problems looking backwards and the human mind always thrives when it’s looking forwards. Rest assured, we will all be ok.