A slightly curved blue line on a black background represents a digital globe of the Earth, with subtle blue lights indicating data layers resting on top

Geospatial AI

Artificial intelligence in GIS

As problems become more complex, geographic information system (GIS) software enriched with AI is the key technology to meet the moment.

AI and GIS: Location intelligence at scale

GIS software analyzes complex systems and vast datasets to enhance operations. Combined with AI, it delivers insights faster and at unprecedented scale, enabling greater automation, prediction, and optimization.

Automate analytics workflows

Geospatial AI automates data analysis, reducing the time and resources needed to unlock deeper insights from data.

Elevate predictive analytics

Geospatial AI detects patterns and anomalies in vast multivariable data to reduce uncertainty, spot opportunities, and model future scenarios.

Optimize operational performance

Geospatial AI models and monitors operations in real time to iteratively refine solutions that maximize resources and drive efficiencies.

An island nation with rich green mountains and a busy dock

Accelerating analysis with automation

In this example, GIS identifies landslide-prone areas, then a pretrained AI model pinpoints vulnerable structures.

Geospatial AI is already transforming industries

Versatile across sectors, the technology brings clarity to complex operations by revealing opportunities and risks. For more examples, get the AI ebook.

REAL-TIME AWARENESS

Monitoring changes automatically and at scale

Microsoft partnered with Esri and Impact Observatory to build an AI-powered land-cover map. Geospatial AI enables automated land-use monitoring at 10-meter resolution, significantly increasing the scale and frequency of global observations compared to previous methods. The capability will help answer pressing questions about the human footprint, weather pattern changes, and environmental issues.

A map of southern Louisiana with colors ranging from green to red indicating areas of land-cover change detected by geospatial artificial intelligence

Areas shown in red have the greatest AI-detected changes in land-cover

INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION

Getting ahead of business risk

AT&T used climate data and geospatial analysis to map potential flooding risks to its US infrastructure through 2050. Geospatial AI made it possible for the company to identify which facilities and supply chains may be vulnerable to coastal flooding. The detailed analysis produced powerful information that other organizations can use to evaluate their own risks.

Aerial view of cars driving on a flooded road

Geospatial AI can model areas and assets affected by coastal flooding

INFRASTRUCTURE

Predicting maintenance on critical highways

The Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Building, and Transport piloted an artificial intelligence system to assess road conditions on a major German highway. Predictive analysis with geospatial AI analyzes images to identify early signs of road wear, showing exactly when and where to schedule maintenance before major repairs are needed. The project proved these approaches can realistically forecast changing road conditions.

A map of the Autobahn highway in Germany showing road conditions along small segments ranging in color from green to red to indicate likelihood of repairs needed

Highway sections shown in red on this map are highly likely to need repairs

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Optimizing forest growth and production

Automation has improved the management of Finnish forests and helped fill an employment gap. Artificial intelligence analyzes imagery and weather data to better predict forest inventory and maintenance needs. Geospatial AI supports proactive management and refinement of growth patterns and harvest cycles.

Overhead view of a forest and wood being harvested

Forest managers use geospatial AI to efficiently allocate harvesting resources

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

Saving $100 million per year

The US Army Corps of Engineers dredges ports and shipping channels to maintain the water depths needed for cargo vessels to safely navigate US waterways. With geospatial AI, planners analyze millions of vessel-tracking pings to show locations where barges and container ships are getting slowed by sediment. Predicting where to dredge helps the Corps be proactive and precise, fine-tuning operations to save $100 million a year.

A digital map of a port shows proposed dredging areas highlighted in yellow hexagons

Geospatial AI helps determine port areas in need of dredging, shown in yellow

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS

Managing global logistics in real time

FedEx uses GIS and artificial intelligence to monitor its aircraft fleet and predict maintenance needs. The system helps identify when and where a plane will need parts or repairs. Geospatial AI tools enable FedEx to plan aircraft servicing while maintaining delivery schedules.

A person unloading a large shipment of cargo from an airplane

Geospatial AI enables strategic positioning of plane repair parts

ArcGIS is the leading software for geospatial AI

ArcGIS is the world’s leading GIS software, with mature, proven, embedded AI. Made by Esri, ArcGIS is an enterprise geospatial platform that delivers the advantage of a geographic approach to problem-solving. It integrates smoothly with other business systems and enables AI-powered geospatial analysis across all data.

Equipped with pretrained AI models

ArcGIS includes more than 75 pretrained models that have been battle-tested for common workflows such as object detection in imagery.

Access to comprehensive data

Unparalleled authoritative datasets and high-resolution imagery significantly enhance AI capabilities, ensuring accuracy and speeding analysis.

Simplified user experience

AI assistants and conversational interfaces boost productivity, ease adoption, and democratize spatial analysis across organizations.

A worker in a cherry picker assessing a power line that runs through the branches of a tree

Ready-to-use models meet business needs

In this example, a pretrained AI model in ArcGIS is used to identify where vegetation threatens power lines, saving time and avoiding costly, labor-intensive inspections.

Transparent and trustworthy AI

Esri is committed to responsible AI development in ArcGIS

Organizational data stays private and protected in ArcGIS, a platform relied on by highly regulated industries. ArcGIS clearly explains AI predictions and decisions, gives users control to adjust models, and includes guardrails for bias prevention and fairness.

Download the ebook to see Esri’s geospatial AI in action

Read case studies from FedEx, Microsoft, AT&T, and more

Explore real-world examples of organizations using geospatial AI to drive value from vast amounts of data, make decisions faster, and predict future outcomes.