Posts Tagged: uc
ESRI User Conference 2004 in San Diego - Day 3: Embracing AI
The third day of the ESRI User Conference was an exhilarating deep dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence. The AI Summit, the first of its kind hosted by ESRI, focused on the integration of AI into the ESRI ArcGIS Suite of software and tools. The excitement in the air was palpable as attendees explored the transformative potential of AI in GIS.
AI Summit Highlights
The AI Summit highlighted the strategic incorporation of AI into two broad categories within the ArcGIS ecosystem: GeoAI and AI Assistants.
- GeoAI: This category encompasses advanced AI models and algorithms specifically designed forgeospatial analysis. Attendees learned about howGeoAI can enhance spatial data interpretation, improve predictive modeling, and support more accurate decision-making. The sessions showcased real-world applications, demonstrating howGeoAI is being used to tackle complex challenges. These tools included:
- Deep Learning Models and object detection and pixel classification
- Unstructured text searching and geocoding
- and many others
- AI Assistants: These tools are designed to augment the user experience within theArcGIS platform, making it more intuitive and efficient. AI Assistants leverage generative AI to provide intelligent recommendations, automate routine tasks, and enhance data visualization. The demonstrations highlighted how these assistants can streamlineworkflows, improve productivity, and empower users to extract deeper insights from their data. AI assistants are being included in:
- Help documentation, online and within ArcGIS Pro
- Webmapping - Smart mapping
- Survey 123 webform design
- ArcGIS AI Hub Assistant
- and the list goes on
Innovative Applications and Future Directions
Throughout the day, experts and innovators shared their experiences and insights on the cutting-edge applications of AI in GIS. From machine learning models that classify historic and current aerial photos to AI-driven tools that optimize road condition extraction from full motion video capture, the presentations underscored the vast potential of AI to revolutionize the field.
Exciting Outcomes
One significant outcome of the day was my decision to request access to ArcGIS Hub Premium and its AI Assistant. This powerful tool will enable the querying of geospatial data created and maintained by IGIS and UCANR using AI using a natural language model. This will open up major opportunities for those needing information about UCANR and data that is important to Californians, making it easier to access, analyze, and leverage critical geospatial information.
Looking Ahead
The integration of AI into the ArcGIS Suite represents a significant leap forward, promising to unlock new possibilities for geospatial analysis and decision-making. As the conference progresses, attendees are eager to see how these advancements will continue to evolve and shape the future of GIS.
Perspective on AI
In response to concerns that AI might replace GIS professionals, the panelists provided some important perspectives. They emphasized that GIS professionals may potentially lose their jobs if they don't embrace AI. Just like if a GIS Professional was still using AML or Avenue programming laguages instead of modern languages and tools, they would eventually be replaced by someone who was using new languages and tools. The was reinforced a comment by one panelist who added, "If you lose your job because of AI, it will be to someone who is using AI."
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the 2024 ESRI User Conference! The journey into the future of GIS, powered by AI, has just begun.
/h2>/h2>/h2>/h2>/h2>Jeff Smith: Busy as a Bee? No, As Industrious as a Lepidopterist
Busy as a bee? No, as industrious as a Lepidopterist. Specifically, as industrious...
Jeff Smith, curator of the Bohart Museum of Entomology's Lepidoptera collection, chats with visitors at an open house. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Legendary Lepidopterists Paul Opler (left) and Robert Michael Pyle, founder of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, chat during the international Lepidopterist Society’s 68th annual conference (2019) that included visits to the Bohart Museum. Opler, who died last year, considered the Bohart Museum Lepidoptera collection "The Bold Standard" of Lep collections. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
ESRI User Conference 2004 in San Diego - Day 1
The first day of the 2024 ESRI User Conference was filled with exciting announcements and innovative stories of Conservation and GIS. With around 21,000 attendees in San Diego and an additional people joining virtually, the energy and enthusiasm were palpable.
Plenary
Jack Dangermond and the ESRI team highlighted several new offerings in their plenary session. Notably, they introduced new datasets in the ArcGIS Living Atlas, including a national tile service of parcel boundaries and a feature layer of iNaturalist species observation data. These additions promise to provide users with even more comprehensive and valuable data for their projects.
The Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, a former high school Geography teacher, delivered an impassioned plenary speech on the importance of GIS in solving the challenges we face today. He emphasized the critical need for maps, data, and the work that GIS professionals do to address global issues.
New Apps and Features
ESRI also showcased a range of new apps in ArcGIS Online:
- Portfolio App: Designed to help users highlight key maps of interest, making it easier to share important insights with others.
- Web Editor App: This app offers a web-based editing experience similar to editing in ArcGIS Pro, making it more accessible for users to update and manage their data.
- Generative AI in AI Assistants: The inclusion of generative AI enhances the capabilities of spatial analysis, providing users with more intelligent and responsive tools and apps.
Additionally, several new story map templates were introduced, adding more options for users to create compelling narratives with their data.
Looking Ahead
With so many exciting developments on the first day, attendees can look forward to even more innovations and detailed sessions over the next three days. The future of GIS is looking bright, and the tools and features unveiled at this conference are set to drive the industry forward.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the 2024 ESRI User Conference in the coming days!
Meet 'The Moth Man' at Bohart Museum's Moth Night
Meet "The Moth Man." If you attend the Bohart Museum of Entomology's annual Moth Night...
These three entomologists were trained directly or indirectly by Jerry Powell (1933-2023) of UC Berkeley. From left are Dan Rubinoff, John De Benedictus and Paul Opler (1938-2023) at a gathering of lepidopterists in 2019 at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. Powell and Paul Opler (1938-2023) co-authored Moths of Western America, published in 2009. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis Entomology and Nematology Retiring Faculty Amass 247 Years of Service
247 years! The seven faculty members honored at the UC Davis Department of Entomology and...
UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey, 44 years of service (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis distinguished professor Richard "Rick" Karban, 42 years of service
UC Davis distinguished professor emerita Lynn Kimsey, 35 years of service. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Robert Kimsey, adjunct professor, 35 years of service (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis distinguished professor Jay Rosenheim, 34 years of service. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis distinguished professor Diane Ullman, 29 years of service. (Photo by Jael Mackendorf)
Professor emerita Sharon Lawler, 28 years of service. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey at UC Davis Picnic Day)