0
0
Francis Oloo, a lecturer at the Technical University of Kenya and founder of the startup Geopsy Research, delivered an insightful presentation on artificial intelligence (AI) and big data at the conference focused on land and natural resource management. Oloo emphasized the transformative potential of AI in simulating human behavior to enhance efficiency and accuracy in managing land resources.
Defining AI: “Artificial intelligence aims to make computers simulate human behavior by feeding them information about how humans act,” explained Oloo. He highlighted that by teaching computers to perform tasks traditionally done by humans, such as mapping land parcels, AI can execute these tasks repetitively and accurately without fatigue or errors, provided they are supplied with the correct data.
The Importance of Big Data: Oloo delved into the characteristics of big data, which include volume, velocity, and variety. He noted, “In the land sector, the volume of data is enormous, considering the numerous land parcels across a country. The velocity of data capture is also high, with thousands of parcels registered daily. Additionally, the variety of data, reflecting different land shapes and ownership, is significant.”
By integrating AI and big data, Oloo stressed the importance of automating land management tasks. “When you provide a computer with millions of data points, it becomes intelligent and can perform these tasks better and more accurately,” he said.
Embracing AI for Efficiency and Transparency: Oloo addressed how the land ecosystem, including the commission and other stakeholders, can embrace AI for greater efficiency and transparency. “Digitization is key. Accurate data capture and training computers with this data enable AI to manage tasks like land parcel mapping efficiently,” he explained. This approach eliminates the need for repetitive human intervention, allowing computers to process images and delineate boundaries automatically.
Final Thoughts: Oloo emphasized the necessity of adopting AI in the land sector. “This is the direction we need to go. AI will benefit multiple stakeholders and improve itself as more people utilize it,” he stated. Oloo’s presentation underscored AI’s potential to revolutionize land and natural resource management, making it more efficient, accurate, and transparent.
The conference attendees left with a clear understanding of how AI and big data can reshape the future of land management, thanks to Oloo’s comprehensive and forward-thinking insights.
