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Panel: Ethics, Influence, and the Role of the Practitioner

Geospatial professionals are building infrastructure that shapes how societies function - but they often lack control over how their tools are used. This topic wrestles with power, responsibility, and the evolving role of the practitioner in guiding outcomes. This session explores the practical ethics of providing open access to powerful datasets and models, especially when they can be misused.

  • What guardrails can prevent harmful use of open spatial data?

  • Who decides what constitutes ethical use?

  • How do we design systems that balance openness and restraint?

  • What systems of trust and provenance are emerging?

  • How can we prevent data manipulation without stifling access?

  • How do we verify spatial data and models in an AI-powered world?

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January 22

Talk: Geospatial After the GUI

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January 22

Talk: Policy and Ethics