Embed2Scale at SatSummit 2024
Embed2Scale was present at SatSummit 2024, held on 18-19 November in Lisbon, Portugal. This annual event gathers a global audience of satellite and Earth Observation (EO) experts, bringing together industry leaders, researchers and innovators to discuss the most pressing challenges and opportunities in space-based technologies.
As part of this event, Thomas Brunschwiler from IBM Research, a key partner in the Embed2Scale consortium, presented in the session titled “Beyond archiving pixels – the ChatGPT of Earth”. During his talk, Thomas introduced the project’s innovative embedding concept, highlighting its transformative potential for the EO community.
Advancing the Embedding Concept for Geospatial Data
In his presentation, Thomas showcased how AI-powered embedding techniques—a cornerstone of the Embed2Scale project—are revolutionising the way EO data is compressed, indexed and analysed. These embeddings significantly reduce the size of raw EO data, while maintaining its utility for various downstream applications, such as:
- Climate change monitoring and adaptation strategies.
- Crop stress detection and agricultural yield prediction.
- Maritime awareness for security and environmental protection.
By sharing the foundational work being done within Embed2Scale, the project’s commitment to democratizing access to EO data was emphasised. This aligns perfectly with the themes of SatSummit, where unlocking the potential of satellite imagery for global challenges is a recurring focus.
Promoting Innovation and Collaboration
SatSummit provided an excellent platform to engage with stakeholders from the private sector, academia, and government, all of whom are keenly interested in exploring new applications of satellite data. Thomas’s presentation sparked meaningful discussions about the role of embeddings in addressing challenges related to data volume, accessibility, and computational efficiency.
The session also served as a platform for promoting Embed2Scale’s broader goals, including fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing state-of-the-art AI technologies to enhance Earth Observation capabilities.
About SatSummit 2024
SatSummit is a leading forum for exploring the critical intersections of satellite technology, data science, and sustainability. This year’s event featured a diverse agenda, including sessions on satellite imagery for disaster response, climate resilience, and innovative approaches to data sharing.
Looking Ahead
Embed2Scale’s participation at SatSummit 2024 underscores the project’s active role in shaping the future of EO data utilisation. We thank the organizers for this opportunity and look forward to continuing to share our advancements at similar global events.