Why enterprise AI's next breakthrough lies in spatial intelligence (www.techradar.com)

The next breakthrough in enterprise AI lies in spatial intelligence—the ability for machines to understand and navigate physical environments with human-like awareness. While large language models have revolutionized text and image understanding, they fall short in interpreting real-world spatial contexts, which are crucial for practical applications such as warehouse management, robotics, and augmented reality (AR). Spatial intelligence enables AI to assess complex scenarios, like whether a forklift is blocking a critical path, thus unlocking safer and more efficient operational roles beyond mere advisory functionalities. Spatial computing is already transforming industries like logistics, manufacturing, and field services by providing centimeter-level accuracy through Visual Positioning Systems (VPS), far surpassing the imprecision of GPS. This precision supports optimization of layouts, real-time collaboration on 3D models, and immersive training simulations. The emerging Large Geospatial Models (LGMs)—akin to large language models but focused on geospatial data—train on billions of real-world images mapped to physical locations. LGMs empower AI to infer missing spatial information and reason about environments dynamically, crucial for the development of AR glasses and autonomous robots expected to grow into a multibillion-dollar market by 2035. For enterprises, adopting spatial intelligence means not only enhancing operational precision and safety but also pioneering a new era where AI truly comprehends and interacts with the physical world.