Geospatial applications and services play a vital role in everyday life, from online maps used by billions across the world to speeding up delivery for online shoppers – in turn boosting businesses and the economy.
The UK Government released the UK Geospatial Strategy 2030 last week with the plan to harness the power of location data and technologies such as AI, satellite imaging and real data, to give a boost to UK economy as well as to help consumers.
Chloe Smith, Secretary of Science, Innovation and Technology announced, “We’re investing in our AI talent pipeline with a £54 million package to develop trustworthy and secure artificial intelligence, and putting our best foot forward as a global leader in tech both now, and in the years to come.”
The strategy sets out three renewed missions:
- Embrace enabling technologies to accelerate geospatial innovation
- Drive greater use of geospatial applications and insights across the economy
- Build confidence in the future geospatial ecosystem
UK as Location data leader
In view of the opportunities that AI developments promises in every aspect of modern life, such as dealing with climate related challenges and pursuing net zero targets. The announcement also mentions that the remaining £13 million will be used to fund 13 projects based at universities across the UK to develop pioneering AI innovations in sustainable land management, efficient CO2 capture, and improved resilience against natural hazards.
Smith also mentioned in his keynote speech at London that fresh commitments to turbocharge the UK’s location data and technologies can revolutionize the country’s transport infrastructure, improve public service planning, and boost business. Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology will launch an open call for proposals to pilot new, collaborative approached to scientific research in IL, backed by £50 million in government funding.
Viscount Camrose, Minister for AI and Intellectual Property, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said, “Location data and technologies power our economy and our Geospatial Strategy 2030 will ensure the UK remains an innovating world leader, by building on our successes and harnessing new opportunities from rapidly evolving technologies.”
Sir Bernard Silverman, Chair, Geospatial Commission said, “The power of location will continue to underpin solutions to our biggest challenges including climate change, energy security and economic growth. Our strategy supports the drive towards the adoption of critical technologies and continued investment in UK research and development.”
Growth of the UK geospatial sector
The strategy mentions that it aims to make the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) (a government-led programme creating a single, standardized data-sharing platform on the location and condition of underground pipes and cables) operational for the first cohort of users in North East England, Wales and London by the end of 2025.
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) said, “UKRI is investing in the people and technologies that will improve lives for people in the UK and around the world. By supporting research to develop AI that is useful, trustworthy and trusted, we are laying solid foundations on which we can build new industries, products and services across a wide range of fields.”
The Geospatial Commission will also conduct a review of the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA) to ensure it remains fit for purpose over the remaining seven years of the agreement. The PSGA sets out how Ordnance Survey provides world-leading location data and expertise to the public sector across England, Scotland and Wales.
Further announcements include:
- An ambition to host an international geospatial conference in 2024
- Publishing a report identifying the cross-cutting challenges and opportunities for location data in the health sector
- Publishing key findings from the earth observation pilot to set out how the public sector access to earth observation data and its innovative use can be supported
- Undertaking new research, with the Office for National Statistics and other partners, to understand the implications of geographic changes to where people work and land used for employment
- Sharing the Geospatial Commission’s findings for the public sector to make more informed decisions about electric vehicle charge point location
- A new Land Use Analysis Taskforce to bring together cutting edge data and scientific expertise to support land use decision making
- Plans to work with universities to publish best practice as a first step towards embedding geospatial learning into data science and geography courses
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