The Harlow Report-GIS
2025 Edition
ISSN 0742-468XSince 1978
On-line Since 2000
GIS News Snippets
For the week of
November 3, 2025
Remember When?
A “Harlow Report” From November 4, 2024 —How Fall Foliage Maps Can Drive Government GIS Advances
by Nikki Davidson
Minnesota's Fall Color Finder map gets roughly 250,000 views a year, but it isn't just a pretty interface — it's a tool offering lessons in user engagement, accessibility and data governance for governments nationwide.
Beyond pumpkin patches, warm drinks and hayrides comes a frenzy for scouting out the best fall colors. In Minnesota, state agencies are involved in the hunt, and they've unveiled a new map that taught them useful lessons about citizen engagement and accessibility that can now be replicated for countless other purposes.
This year, Minnesota revamped its Fall Color Finder, an interactive site that tracks changing leaves in state parks. The upgrades were guided by the results of a request for feedback from the public about what improvements they'd like to see. The website was already popular, attracting more than 250,000 views in 2023 even though the season that leaves are changing lasts for fewer than 60 days in the state.
Read full story at Government Technology…
Now back to 2025
Eagleview Unveils Eagleview Labs to Drive Geospatial Innovation and Unlock New Market Applications
by Eagleview Press Release
This new model advances the GIS industry with breakthrough innovation, deepens impact with current customers, and extends geospatial insights into new markets and use cases.
Summary
Eagleview, an aerial imagery provider, launched Eagleview Labs, a dedicated innovation center aimed at expanding the applications of geospatial intelligence for commercial and government sectors. The initiative is a direct response to the shift toward AI–first architectures and builds on Eagleview’s extensive data vault, which includes high–resolution, 1–inch imagery at scale.
Led by Simon Cope and a team of experts in AI and computer vision, the Labs mission is to accelerate the use of aerial intelligence within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and across other industries. By collaborating with customers and technology partners, Eagleview Labs will convert its proprietary data into solutions that automate tasks like inspection and infrastructure inventory, helping organizations make smarter and faster decisions.
Read full story at Eagleview…
Esri: What's Retiring in December 2025?
by Laurie Fitzpatrick
As technology advances and data sources evolve, we're focused on updating and streamlining our offerings to ensure you have access to the most current and optimized content.
Summary
Esri will retire over 900 legacy layers, maps, apps, and services from ArcGIS Living Atlas on December 10, 2025, after at least one year in mature support. Many include recommended replacements. Top retiring items cover 2021–2022 USA demographics (e.g., Average Household Income, Population Density, Tapestry Segmentation), crime indices, protected areas, roads, and wetlands.
Examples: Antarctic DEM: Aspect Degrees (ID: 99eb277e...) replaces with c7146f29...; Arctic DEM layers (Hillshade, Aspect) replace with 4334ffd9...; USA Roads (ef89ed40...) replaces with f42ecc08...; USA Wetlands (two IDs) replace with 050d4dd3...; USA Protected Areas variants replace with newer IDs like 562afaf9... and ff6f75a7.... Retiring items are tagged “Retiring” with notices. ArcGIS Enterprise 11.4 or earlier users must update to avoid broken content.
Read full story at ArcGIS Blog…
Jack Dangermond's Vision for the Future
by xyHt Staff
The geospatial industry is moving through a period of profound transformation. Advances in reality capture, artificial intelligence, and cloud integration are converging with urgent global challenges, from climate resilience to urbanization.
Summary
For over 50 years, Esri founder Jack Dangermond has transformed GIS from niche tool to global platform. In a sweeping xyHt interview, he casts geography as “the science of integration,” uniting disciplines via location — the ultimate connector. GIS layers make patterns visible, turning data into decisions.
Digital twins, he insists, must be living systems — continuously updated with sensors, BIM, and imagery — not static snapshots. He envisions a planetary geospatial “nervous system”: billions of interoperable maps, linked like the internet, enabling climate, urban, and supply-chain intelligence. Yet culture, not tech, is the barrier; sharing demands trust.
AI agents will augment experts, not replace them. Esri facilitates an open ecosystem. Dangermond calls for patient, collective effort — a shared responsibility to build resilient, intelligent geography for humanity’s future.
Read full story at xyHt …
Mapping the Future: How GIS Accelerates the Critical Minerals Mission
by Rebecca Kahrhoff
As global consumption accelerates, the demand for critical minerals like lithium and copper – essential for modern technology and defense – is rapidly growing.
Summary
To secure the domestic supply chain, the U.S. must adopt an integrated approach that connects geoscience, environmental data, and logistics.
ArcGIS technology, provides the necessary framework. It supports the mission from discovery, where GeoAI models accelerate exploration and reduce costs, through responsible development. GIS simplifies the permitting process and enhances transparency by overlaying mine designs with sensitive resources.
Furthermore, GIS maps the entire domestic supply chain, identifying chokepoints and guiding strategic investment in processing and infrastructure. By enabling real–time monitoring, supporting reclamation, and facilitating collaboration between agencies and industry, GIS makes the future of critical minerals smarter and more secure.
Read full story at Esri…
New Microchip Offers Secure GPS Alternative
by Tabitha Reeves
A device smaller than a fingertip is poised to have big implications when it comes to preventing jamming, spoofing and timing disruptions in navigation systems.
Summary
Iridium Communications unveiled a tiny 8×8-millimeter PNT microchip on October 27, offering secure, embeddable positioning, navigation, and timing as a resilient backup to vulnerable GPS and GNSS systems. Unlike weak GNSS signals traveling over 20,000 km, Iridium’s low-Earth orbit constellation of 66 crosslinked, cryptographically protected satellites delivers stronger, jam-resistant signals globally.
GNSS jamming poses a silent but growing threat: weak signals from 20,000+ km away are easily overwhelmed by low-cost jammers, disrupting navigation for drones, ships, vehicles, and critical infrastructure. In eastern Europe, it’s now a “daily occurrence,” per Iridium VP Rohit Braggs. Spoofing goes further — broadcasting fake signals to hijack routes, potentially crashing autonomous systems or rerouting military assets into danger.
“If it’s possible, it will happen,” warns CEO Matt Desch. A single jammer can black out GPS for miles; adversaries could paralyze logistics, financial timing, or power grids. Iridium’s low-orbit, encrypted PNT microchip counters this with 200× stronger, jam-resistant signals — a vital backup as autonomy rises and GNSS remains “the Achilles heel of the digital age.”
Read full story at National Defense Magasone…
Industry News
In Government
How Did This State Become the Data Center Capital of the World?
by Charles Paullin and Dan Gearino
From America Online to the rise of AI, Virginia has been good for an industry now transforming the economy and grid. Has the industry returned the favor?
Summary
Northern Virginia, particularly Loudoun County, dominates the global data center industry, driven by cheap land near Dulles Airport, robust internet infrastructure from pioneers like America Online, low electricity rates, and state tax incentives. As of June, the region boasts 6,247 megawatts operational, 2,610 under construction, and a staggering 24,103 planned—nearly triple the next largest market, Columbus, Ohio.
While data centers generate $1 billion annually in local taxes, funding schools and reducing residential rates, they employ only 12,140 directly, far fewer than school bus drivers statewide. Critics highlight massive power demands—equivalent to entire states—rising electricity bills, vanishing farmland, and climate impacts.
AI’s surge has super-sized facilities, intensifying debates over sustainability, grid strain, and whether benefits justify costs. Environmentalists urge comprehensive impact studies; some question if the boom risks an investment bubble.
Read full story at Route Fifty…
How State CIOs Are Using GenAI
by Ryan Kushner
More than 80% of state CIOs say their employees are using generative artificial intelligence in their daily work, a recent survey found.
Summary
Most states leverage generative AI for internal efficiency, including drafting policies, legislation, and contracts; streamlining onboarding; code generation; and cybersecurity analysis, per NASCIO’s survey. Emerging public-facing uses feature chatbots and virtual assistants.
“Clearly, GenAI is becoming embedded across core government functions, and the future is in citizen services,” NASCIO stated.
State CIOs endorse federal baseline AI regulations and funding for innovation but oppose moratoriums curbing state oversight or rigid mandates lagging technology’s pace. Congress dropped a proposed 10-year ban; California enacted the nation’s first major AI safety rules.
Salesforce pitches AI agents as the government sheds staff
by Natalie Alms
Amid the White House's ongoing push to reduce the federal workforce, “government will be the largest users of agentic technologies of any industry,” predicted one Salesforce exec.
Summary
The Trump administration's plan to reduce the federal workforce is driving interest in “agentic AI,” which can act without precise human instructions. Salesforce showcased this concept—where humans and AI agents work together—at its recent conference. While federal agencies haven’t deployed these agents yet, the company is piloting them with dozens of federal customers, predicting deployment within three to six months. Salesforce introduced a new agentic platform, including voice-enabled customer service agents. Given federal staffing and budget cuts, some see this technology as the “holy grail” for mitigating shortages. Paul Tatum of Salesforce suggested benefits and claims adjudication as a prime starting poin, emphasizing the need for human oversight.
Although critics warn of risks like automating existing biases, others argue governments shouldn’t delay adoption. The City of Kyle, Texas, is already using an AI agent built with Salesforce to handle non-emergency requests and has seen a 10% reduction in call volume. The technology is currently viewed as an augmentation tool, but its long-term impact on the federal workforce remains to be seen.
Read full story at NextGov…
In Technology
Grammarly Is Rebranding Itself as 'Superhuman.' Here's What's Changing
by Macy Myer
The company behind the popular writing tool is now called Superhuman, combining three brands into a single AI productivity platform.
Summary
Grammarly, known for its writing assistance software, rebranded as Superhuman on Wednesday, signaling a shift toward a comprehensive AI productivity platform. Founded in 2009, Superhuman now serves over 40 million users and has integrated Coda's workspace platform and Superhuman Mail. The rebrand introduces Superhuman Go, an AI assistant that operates across multiple apps, streamlining tasks like retrieving CRM data or summarizing meeting notes.
Superhuman Go connects to over 100 apps, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Outlook, using specialized AI “agents” to reduce workflow friction. The Superhuman suite now combines Grammarly's writing tools, Coda's workspace, and Superhuman Mail, with an Agent Store offering additional AI modules. The suite, including Go, is available on Chrome and Edge, with Mac and Windows versions forthcoming. All Go features are free until February 1, 2026.
Read full story at cnet…
How to Connect Two or More External Displays to an M1, M2, M3, M4 or M5 MacBook
by Simon Jary
Get around Apple'2w annoying M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 Mac external display limitations via software and adapters
Summary
Learn how to connect multiple external displays to M1, M2, and M3 MacBooks. Simon Jary suggests using DisplayLink software and compatible docks that support DisplayLink technology.
The article also provides a list of recommended docks and hubs that support DisplayLink and offer multiple external display options.
Read full story at Macworld…
How to Upgrade Your 'Incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 - 2 Free Options
by Ed Bott
Microsoft really doesn't want customers to upgrade older PCs to Windows 11, but there are workarounds for all but the oldest devices. Now that Windows 10 support has officially ended, here's everything you need to know.
Summary
With Windows 10 support ending on October 14, 2025, many PCs can still upgrade to Windows 11 despite failing compatibility checks for CPU, TPM 2.0, or Secure Boot. For most Windows 10 PCs, a simple registry edit bypasses CPU and TPM version checks, requiring UEFI mode, Secure Boot support, and any TPM. Download the Windows 11 ISO, mount it, and run Setup to upgrade while keeping apps and files.
For older PCs lacking TPM or UEFI, use the free Rufus utility (version 4.6+) to create bootable USB media that skips checks. Select options to remove hardware requirements. Both methods work on x64 CPUs with sufficient storage, but very old processors (pre-2009 Intel or pre-2013 AMD) may fail due to SSE4.2 and PopCnt requirements in Windows 11 24H2. Upgrades proceed after accepting compatibility warnings, with tips to skip updates during setup for success.
Read full story at ZDNET…
In Utilities
Amid Renewable-Energy Boom, Study Explores Options for Electricity Market
by Adam Smeltz
Researchers including a professor at Penn State assessed market designs for the clean-energy transition
Summary
While renewable energy like wind and solar now supplies over 20% of U.S. electricity, high–profile power failures demonstrate a persistent challenge: the unreliable ability to deliver sufficient power when customer use spikes .
Associate Professor Chiara Lo Prete and colleagues studied 11 electricity market design proposals intended to support the clean–energy transition by guiding generation and use. These concepts, ranging from modest changes to complete overhauls, aim to ensure utility operators can recover costs and foster greater system reliability . The need for reform is critical given historic expected growth in demand and recent outages like the 2021 Texas power failure.
Published findings spotlight key questions for utility decision–makers. Researchers found that mandatory “forward contracts,” which are advance obligations to purchase electricity, could help promote investments in energy storage and other resources vital for decarbonization and meeting customer needs.
Read full story at
Energy Department Announces New Public-Private Partnership Model, Two Supercomputers, to Accelerate American Dominance in Science and Technology
by Energy.gov
The U.S. Department of Energy announced two new AMD-accelerated artificial intelligence supercomputers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, one of which will be built at record speeds thanks to a new public-private partnership model.
Summary
The article describes the U.S. Department of Energy's announcement of two new supercomputers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The supercomputers, powered by AMD processors and accelerators, will be built using a new public-private partnership model that aims to accelerate the timeframe for standing up new supercomputers.
Read full story at Energy.gov…
Google Reaches Agreement With Electric Utility to Restart US Nuclear Plant
by Hazardex Staff
Google and electric utility NextEra Energy have reached an agreement which will see the restart of Iowa's only nuclear facility, the Duane Arnold Energy Center, to help meet growing energy demand from artificial intelligence.
Summary
NextEra Energy and Google announced a partnership to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, shut down in 2020 after 45 years of operation. The 615-megawatt facility is slated to resume operations in early 2029, pending regulatory approvals, under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Google to fuel its AI data centers.
NextEra will acquire the remaining 30% stake from Central Iowa Power Cooperative and Corn Belt Power Cooperative, achieving 100% ownership. CIPCO will buy the leftover output on identical terms. The deal covers restart costs, boosts regional capacity without burdening Iowa ratepayers, and creates about 400 jobs plus $9 billion in economic benefits. The companies also plan to explore new U.S. nuclear projects amid surging tech energy demands, following Microsoft’s Three Mile Island revival.
Read full story at Hazardex…