Earth Observation Data

See Change wasn’t your typical conference. Over a few days in Burlington, conversations built on one another as art and music flowed between sessions and small track cohorts dug deep into big questions. Experts guided, ideas collided, and connections formed in unexpected places. The event may be over, but the energy and insights continue to ripple outward. Read on to see what we found. Learn more about See Change and the other topic tracks here.

Satellite Tech, AI & Storytelling for Better Insights & Impact

Led by IBM, explore innovations in Earth observation, remote sensing, AI, and data processing while uncovering new ways to translate complex data into actionable insights that drive policy, risk management, and sustainability through better storytelling and creativity.

Objectives

Our goals will be to:

• Catalyze Connections: Link product leaders with diverse experts to expand data access, drive new applications, and foster lasting collaborations.
• Advance Innovation: Harness collective expertise to generate fresh insights, ensuring underrepresented voices shape the future of Earth observation data.
• Turn Insights into Action: Uncover new strategies for transforming complex Earth observation data into practical tools for resilience and decision-making.

Topic Guides & Experience Guides

Each track is supported by a curated group of topic guides—individuals with deep, hands-on experience and a unique connection to the subject at hand. Alongside them, experience guides shift your perspective, leading you through meaningful moments rooted in nature, movement, creativity, or conversation. Working closely with the track facilitator, both topic guides and experience guides help shape the direction of the conversations and ensure the labs stay grounded in real-world insight and a deep collaborative spirit.

WTF Session

Some topics really make you stop and say "what the f&%$ is that?" So, we made a whole series around it! A topic guide demystified an intriguing topic in a fast-moving, Cliffs Notes–esque format.

Topic Focus

From managing natural disasters, land-use monitoring and forest carbon accounting, to methane emissions detection, scientists and data engineers have put an incredible amount of rigor into creating aerial and satellite imaging technologies that are respected and understood by their peers; but there is still a deep need to help process and translate the vast amount of data collected into meaningful mitigation and adaptation stories that can help inform policy and manage risk.

Participants will explore technological breakthroughs while tackling a core challenge: bridging the gap between complex Earth observation data and real-world decision-making. Through hands-on workshops and interactive discussions, we’ll identify adoption barriers and develop strategies for turning raw data into intuitive, user-friendly tools that drive action.

Product experts will come together with current and potential end users — data analysts, researchers and scientists from government agencies, universities, public utilities, transportation agencies, NGOs and beyond — to explore the tools in a series of unique, creative, hands-on workshops and experiences designed to improve access for these key users, connect new users to the products, and set the foundation for creative exploration into new and novel insights in environmental and earth sciences.

We'll focus on transforming Earth observation data into actionable solutions by leveraging AI foundation models and innovative storytelling and design with the goal of making remote sensing data more accessible for real-time monitoring, risk assessment, and sustainability insights for policymakers, businesses, and communities.

Who Was This Track For?

Product experts joined current and prospective end users—data analysts, researchers, and scientists from government agencies, universities, transportation, NGOs, and more—in creative, hands-on workshops aimed at improving access, connecting new users, and laying the groundwork for novel insights in environmental and Earth sciences.

• AI Specialists & Product Leaders who develop and refine tools to enhance Earth observation data accessibility.
• Universities & Researchers who explore new applications for satellite and AI-driven insights in environmental science.
• Government Agencies focused on policy, infrastructure, and sustainability.
• NGOs & Grassroots Organizations who provide real-world perspectives on challenges and data usability.
• Creatives & Storytellers who can support translating complex data into compelling narratives like UX/UI designers, data visualization artists, and content strategists.

Still have questions? Check out the FAQs to learn about hotels, parking, meals, and other logistics.