AI, digital twins and the new geospatial era

We are in the midst of a geospatial revolution, with the global geospatial analytics market projected to grow from US$78.5 billion in 2023 to US$141.9 billion by 2028. How are technological advances like AI and new data collection methods unlocking unprecedented insights and elevating decision-making capabilities?

Although recent innovations have taken on a more visible profile, with buzzwords like AI making headlines, advances in the geospatial sector have historically progressed rapidly yet quietly, as a technological continuum. This article looks at how today’s breakthroughs are delivering practical, impactful applications – without the glitz.

Despite the rise of automation, geospatial practitioners remain indispensable. These experts master emerging technologies while upholding the fundamentals of precision, accuracy, compliance and legality amid the ongoing digital transformation. Surveyors are at the forefront of this evolution, playing a pivotal role in infrastructure projects. As the backbone of construction, utilities and urban development, surveyors are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance precision, boost efficiency and deliver actionable insights. These advancements are reshaping infrastructure management and fostering collaboration across disciplines, bridging gaps between traditional surveying, GIS and engineering practices.

Transformative tech and transforming technicians

The global geospatial analytics market is projected to grow from US$78.5 billion in 2023 to US$141.9 billion by 2028 (source: Markets and Markets). Key drivers include increasing demand for location intelligence across various industries, supported by access to geospatial data from satellites, sensors and mobile devices. Remote sensing is expected to dominate the technology segment, while cloud deployment will lead the market due to its scalability and data processing capabilities. With the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the market is also experiencing rapid growth, unlocking the potential to boost operational efficiency by up to 30% in sectors like energy, utilities, urban planning and transportation. The future is clear: geospatial analytics is transforming industries and driving innovation at an unprecedented pace.

“We are in the midst of a geospatial revolution, often referred to as Geospatial 2.0,” notes Matt Sheehan, geospatial growth specialist. “Technological advances like AI and new data collection methods have unlocked unprecedented insights and elevated decision-making capabilities. These breakthroughs are bridging the once-separate fields of geospatial and surveying. As we embrace the era of digital twins, surveyors play a critical role in delivering the precise base data needed to construct these 3D digital models, while geospatial professionals integrate and analyse this data to provide answers to questions that were once incredibly challenging.”

The integration of AI into geospatial workflows, including machine learning (ML) for Lidar point cloud processing, is enhancing the capabilities of traditional surveying and mapping technologies such as laser scanning, digital photogrammetry, mobile mapping and drones. These innovations have made reality capture more sophisticated and accurate than ever before.

For AI to deliver these efficiencies, however, it requires accurate, real-time data – data that skilled professionals must interpret to make informed decisions. This is where reality capture plays an essential role. Surveyors, who already possess the foundational skills required, are well-positioned to harness these advanced tools, particularly if they choose to upskill with new technologies.

AI and digital twins: redefining the landscape

AI’s role in geospatial workflows is rapidly advancing, particularly in automating labour-intensive tasks like data cleaning and analysis. This evolution allows surveyors to focus on strategic roles, such as quality control and compliance, while leveraging data-driven insights that were previously unattainable. Central to this transformation are digital twins – virtual models of physical assets that enable tracking, improvement and forecasting through data-driven insights.

Digital twins are invaluable in sectors like utilities, transportation and construction, where timely and accurate information is critical. In power grid management, for example, digital twins provide real-time insights into infrastructure health, helping to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize maintenance. As extreme weather events become more frequent, these tools are essential for maintaining reliability and safety.

Across infrastructure lifecycles – from planning and design to construction and operations – AI-enhanced 3D model processing and management are becoming standard. Technologies like geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI), building information modelling (BIM), virtual design and construction (VDC), 4D construction, and iTwins are being adopted by firms of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

Reality capture and digital twins: a powerful partnership

The realm of digital twins is becoming increasingly rich, both in terms of data and visually, with technologies like 3D tiles integrated into digital twins, enabling users to navigate and work within vast, detailed geospatial environments. For example, the addition of Cesium’s open platform to Bentley Systems’ iTwin technologies is enhancing these capabilities. However, the creation of these digital worlds depends on advanced reality capture.

Reality capture technologies – from drones to handheld devices – are integral to creating digital twins. These tools enable detailed, real-time visualization and actionable insights, transforming workflows in industries such as bridge maintenance and urban infrastructure. Combined with digital twins, reality capture provides a dynamic platform for simulation, planning and operational optimization.

As the global geospatial market expands, the importance of AI, digital twins and reality capture will continue to grow. Geospatial professionals must embrace these technologies, upskill in emerging tools and integrate AI-driven processes to meet evolving industry demands. As Matthew Byrd, founder of Reality Capture Network, states, “Improving processes does not take jobs away – it shifts you to do more and better jobs.”

Overcoming technological barriers

Historically, building digital twins has been challenging. High-fidelity geometries required time-consuming methods and laser scanning – though scanning of sites is now much faster than even a few years ago. However, it can still be a costly proposition, as well as being logistically challenging, with many steps needed to integrate the data. Compounding the challenges is the need for ‘true’ digital twins, for instance in a construction environment, to be continuously updated. Many approaches had been tried in the past, but they did not live up to expectations. Advances in the underlying tech are now changing that.

Often, the conceptualized technological advances were not ready for prime time because the tech stacks were not yet mature. A decade ago, there was a wave of on-the-pole photogrammetry for field surveying – for instance, a multi-camera array that fit under a GNSS rover. It was a noble idea, but the tech wasn’t there yet. Many professionals became jaded by such tools and grew wary of trying new solutions.

It might be time to revisit some of these ideas, now that advances in agile photogrammetry and AI have streamlined these processes. Modern tools now deliver precise imagery-based point clouds comparable to laser scanning, but with greater efficiency and affordability. For instance, the integration of handheld photogrammetry with GNSS/inertial measurement unit (IMU) positioning automates data processing in the cloud, simplifying workflows and enhancing accuracy. Amanda Jones, PLS, owner of AJ Surveying, notes, “This technology is a game-changer, enabling us to capture large amounts of survey-grade data without extensive labour or drone operations.”

AI-driven computer-aided design (CAD) linework extraction plays a key role in accelerating the development of digital twins through various approaches. Autodesk demonstrates this with its capabilities in AutoCAD Civil 3D and InfraWorks, where advanced tools enable users to process point cloud data into precise surface models and design-ready features. Similarly, AirWorks provides a solution for extracting CAD linework from orthomosaic imagery, offering surveyors the ability to upload stitched orthomosaic data from drones or other sources for the extraction of specific linework classes.

Additionally, AI is helping to seek out ‘dark data’ in infrastructure records. Data that is tied up in legacy or proprietary digital (or analogue) systems that is not readily accessible or cross-referenced is effectively ‘dark’, but represents a hidden trove of useful data. For example, Phocaz developed a process to extract infrastructure features from massive archives of legacy CAD drawings (e.g. from state departments of transportation). The process uses an AI-driven virtual car that effectively ‘drives’ along CAD lanes in highway drawings to identify infrastructure features like guardrails, signs, channelization, lighting, etc. This gathered data can feed into a highway digital twin.

The evolving geospatial workforce

As demand for geospatial expertise grows, one of the challenges the industry faces is the shortage of trained professionals. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth in surveying employment from 2023 to 2033. Additionally, nearly 50% of the current surveying workforce will retire over the next 10 to 15 years, creating a critical need for new talent to fill the gap. Educational institutions are responding by introducing specialized geospatial science and technology programmes to prepare the next generation of professionals.

Building a unified ecosystem

The geospatial industry’s future hinges on the seamless integration of AI, reality capture and digital twins. This transformation dismantles traditional silos between surveying, GIS and engineering, enhancing collaboration and efficiency. Surveyors remain central to this ecosystem, delivering precise data that drives smarter decision-making in infrastructure projects. By embracing innovation and collaboration, geospatial professionals are poised to address global challenges like climate change, urbanization and resource management. The synergy of AI, reality capture and digital twins promises to revolutionize infrastructure management, reduce costs and foster sustainability – creating a smarter, more connected world.

Surveyors are more than essential to infrastructure; they are the architects of a sustainable future. Their expertise, paired with advancements in AI and digital twin technologies, is reshaping how we understand, manage and plan the built environment. Emerging innovations, such as quantum-enhanced geomatics sensors, signal even greater changes on the horizon. Amid these transformations, the geospatial sector will increasingly depend on surveyors to bridge the digital and physical realms. They will unlock new possibilities for infrastructure development, environmental stewardship and societal progress. As labour demands grow and technology advances, the role of the surveyor remains vital – leading the charge towards a more connected, efficient and resilient world.

Acknowledgements

The author sincerely thanks the subject matter experts for their valuable collaboration.