The Australian Earth Observation (AEO24) Forum this year was nothing short of inspiring, bringing together a diverse and passionate EO community to advance the field. I have the honour of being the current President of Earth Observation Australia, the host organization for the Forum. I also had the privilege of delivering the opening address, presenting the industry awards, facilitating a discussion on the future of Earth observation in Australia, and closing the forum with a call for unity and collaboration across government, academia, and industry.
The insights shared throughout the forum underscore the importance of collaboration in driving innovation in Earth observation, a point that resonated deeply with Birdi’s mission. Key industry leaders and academics highlighted the need for accessible EO data, the integration of AI and machine learning into EO solutions, and the significant role Australia is poised to play on the global EO stage.
One of the highlights of the AEO Forum for me was presenting the Earth Observation Australia Awards, which celebrated individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the EO community. The diversity and innovation showcased by the award recipients reaffirmed the incredible potential within our industry. From early-career innovators driving forward critical satellite projects, to teams pioneering the use of EO data in new and impactful ways, the awards demonstrated the broad range of talent and passion that fuels the growth of Earth observation in Australia. These achievements align closely with Birdi’s vision of harnessing EO data to deliver practical, data-driven solutions for various sectors such as utilities, mining, and environmental management.
Additionally, the discussion on the future of EO in Australia emphasized the critical need for infrastructure that supports the rapid acquisition and processing of EO data. Birdi’s platform, which is constantly evolving to meet these needs, stands well-positioned to support both industry and government in streamlining data collection and analysis, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.
Looking forward, the launch of the new Earth Observation Australia (EOA) membership model provides an exciting opportunity for Birdi to engage as a key player in the growing EO ecosystem both here and abroad. With opportunities for foundation partnerships across government, academia, and industry, there’s no better time for Birdi to further strengthen its network and contribute to the advancement of Earth observation in Australia.
As the EO community continues to evolve, Birdi remains committed to building and leveraging the latest technologies to deliver meaningful solutions and support the growth of our industry. I look forward to continuing my role as EOA President into next year and contributing as an industry partner through Birdi.