ASU Global Futures Impact Scholars present at GeoAI conference

Arizona State University student Paige Hebert believes in the importance of harnessing the emerging role of AI within geospatial technology to address urgent global water quality concerns.

Therefore, when Hebert, who is double-majoring in sustainability in the School of Sustainability and geographic information systems in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, heard about the Geography 2050: The Future of GeoAI and the Planet conference hosted by the Columbia Climate School, she knew she had to take action.

The Geography 2050 conference brings together professionals, researchers and students to discuss the future of geospatial science and artificial intelligence. In an effort to navigate the Geospatial Revolution where the influx of data and intelligence can become daunting, the conference fostered conversations to help navigate the application of GeoAI in addressing the grand challenges our planet faces.

Alongside Arianna Flores, a fellow ASU student studying sustainability, Hebert pitched their talk, “GeoAI for a Thirsty Planet: Forecasting Harmful Algal Blooms.”

As Global Futures Impact Scholars, Herbert says their goal is to “mitigate water issues from climate change by closing the water access gap and uplifting local communities of changemakers."

“(Harmful algal blooms) pose a threat to our ecosystems, public health and local economies, yet they are rarely detected early,” Flores explained.

In their talk, the pair discussed the application of ArcGIS Pro as a visualization tool to map predicted algal bloom hot spots.

“In the end, we showed how GeoAI tools can help predict and prevent these crises before they occur, and the possibilities for future applications are vast,” Hebert said.

“GeoAI can be intimidating and resource intensive, but it may also spark the solutions we urgently need,” Hebert continued. “Hearing so many perspectives made me think more deeply about the role GeoAI will play in our shared future.”

To fund their trip to New York’s Columbia University, both Hebert and Flores received the Student Experiences Scholarship from the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. The scholarship helps fund students who do not have access to other sources of funding for their academic learning experiences.

“It’s an exceptional example of the strong community of support in (Global Futures) that keeps empowering students to pursue their innovative ideas and aspirations toward positive global impact,” Hebert said.

In reflecting on her college experience so far, Hebert said, “the experiences through the College of Global Futures go far beyond the students, and it’s visible in their impact; whether it’s students like Arianna and I presenting in New York, or other scholars filming documentaries in Chile, it takes us far and wide.”

Through learning experiences such as the Geography 2050 conference and continued work as a Global Futures Impact Scholar, Flores said, “this environment has made me committed to finding solutions that can truly make a difference.”