Privacy Issues
AI-driven geography often uses geospatial data, satellite imagery, and location tracking. If locations or personal data are collected without proper safeguards, privacy breaches can occur.
Ethical AI use requires transparency on how data is being gathered, secure data handling and the informed consent of participants to protect their rights.
Activity: Examine the ways AI collects personal data and the implications
click image to enlarge
Source: Velaro
GeoAI privacy and safety issues
Privacy and safety risks were highlighted in recent incidents. For instance, in April 2024, the Washington Communications Commission imposed nearly US$200 million in fines on wireless carriers for illegally sharing customer location data.
These examples highlight the importance of ensuring AI systems are transparent and accountable to maintain trust and mitigate potential biases and errors in GeoAI applications.
Source: Future of Privacy Forum
While understanding AI decision-making processes is essential for maintaining trust, the complexity and ‘black box’ nature of these algorithms often obscure how decisions are made.
Deepfake Geography
The rise of deepfake technology has introduced significant risks, including the unauthorised imitation of public figures’ voices and videos as well as maps and visualisations.
A recent alarming development involves the use of AI to generate misleading geographic data. For example, fake satellite images and maps could add non-existent features to landscapes, resulting in ‘Deepfake geography’. . Find out more
Image Source: Fake satellite image example, University of Melbourne
As well as leading to incorrect planning decisions, this fake imagery could create security risk or hinder emergency response efforts.
Activity: Play the video about the Fake Neighbourhoods on Google Maps and consider who determines the names of places on a map.
Deepfakes blur the line between reality and fabrication, they challenge our ability to discern truth as we are already seeing in social media. Researchers are working on approaches to deepfake detection.
Activity: Click the image to go to the the EuroNews report on deepfakes and online disinformation (opens in a new Tab)
More information on Deepfake Geography