The Harlow Report-GIS
2026 Edition
ISSN 0742-468XSince 1978
On-line Since 2000
GIS News Snippets
For the week of
February 23, 2026
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A "Harlow Report" From February 24, 2025
What is an Accurate Survey?
by Jeff Lucas
The surveying profession has always been a measure-centric profession. What I mean by that is surveyors love their measurements, and that is where the primary focus of surveying practice has been concentrated from the very beginning. We have always been the expert measurers in the room. We can analyze our measurements, run closures, make adjustments, and check those measurements. In other words, we can do the math, and we love doing it.
This article argues that the surveying profession must shift its focus from being solely measurement-centric to emphasizing professional opinion-based services, akin to traditional professions like clergy, medicine, and law. Historically, surveyors have prided themselves on their expertise in taking and analyzing measurements, using advanced tools and software to ensure accuracy, typically validated by closure ratios within technical standards. However, the author points out that this expertise is no longer unique, as anyone with proper tools and training can now measure accurately, leading to unlicensed individuals encroaching on this domain.
The piece highlights that society no longer needs surveyors just for measurements but for their ability to provide well-reasoned opinions, particularly on property boundary locations—a service only licensed land surveyors can legally offer. Unlike measurements, which are facts, these opinions distinguish surveyors from technicians and align them with the “big three” professions, which share traits like a calling, trust-based client relationships, and oath-taking. The author critiques the persistent measure-centric mindset among surveyors, where accuracy is tied to closure ratios rather than correct boundary determinations, which should be the true focus of a survey.
Measurements, while important, are described as secondary evidence in retracement surveying, which is an evidentiary process, not merely a technical task. The profession risks losing its relevance if it doesn't evolve to prioritize opinions over measurements. The article concludes by promising a future discussion on formulating and verifying such opinions, encouraging surveyors to rethink their role and inviting questions on legal issues impacting the field.
Read full story at xyHt…
Now back to 2026
27 Geography Facts Everyone Keeps Getting Wrong
by Bob Cannon
Geography teachers will be in tears over these common geography mistakes
Summary
Reader's Digest compiled a list of 27 common geography mistakes, including misconceptions about time zones in Antarctica, the number of continents Russia and Turkey span, and the location of the Statue of Liberty.
The list also clarifies errors about the easternmost and southernmost U.S. states, the longest highway and coastline, and the tallest mountains in the U.S. and Europe.
Additionally, it addresses misconceptions about country capitals, the size of Africa and Greenland, and the distinction between Great Britain and the United Kingdom.
Read full story at Reader's Digest …
Accelerating Geospatial Innovation with CARTO on Oracle Autonomous AI Database
by Hans Viehmann
Nearly every database includes addresses, placenames, or other positional information. Thanks to advances in AI techniques for geospatial data, such as deep learning and generative models, it is now easier than ever to extract insights from location-based data.
Summary
The ubiquity of location data has sparked a geospatial revolution, fueled by advances in deep learning and “agentic AI.” These autonomous systems streamline complex workflows, making sophisticated analysis accessible through natural language interfaces. To support these data-intensive workloads, organizations are increasingly turning to cloud-native infrastructures that offer essential scalability and agility without requiring architectural overhauls.
CARTO—a global partner recognized for its user-friendly location intelligence tools—has launched a cloud-native platform on the Oracle Autonomous AI Database. By integrating low-code workflows with agentic GIS, the platform allows AI agents to autonomously manage spatial data and deliver real-time insights. This ecosystem leverages optimized SQL execution directly within the database tier—minimizing data movement—while offering interoperability across major hyperscalers to unlock the full potential of modern spatial analytics.
Read full story at Oracle Blogs…
Building the Next Generation of Geomatics Professionals
by xyHt Staff
How Fresno State, Trimble, and CSDS Are Closing the Workforce and Technology Gap
Summary
Fresno State, Trimble, and CSDS are collaborating to modernize geomatics education by integrating modern technology and workflows into the curriculum. This partnership aims to equip students with the skills and confidence to drive innovation and improve productivity in the geospatial industry.
The 65th Annual Geomatics Engineering Conference highlights this collaboration and provides a platform for students, educators, and industry professionals to connect and explore emerging trends.
Read full story at xyHt…
How Can Geospatial Software Simplify Field Work for Utilities?
by Clarion Energy Content Directors
Adrian McNulty of IQGeo discussed AI-powered geospatial software at DTECH 2026 in San Diego, California, aimed at streamlining utility workflows.
Summary
IQGeo's AI-powered geospatial software simplifies fieldwork for utilities by mobilizing data from GIS and EAM systems into a user-friendly application.
This software automates workflows, allowing field workers to access all necessary data and link it to their tasks, ultimately increasing efficiency and productivity.
Watch on YouTube…
Read full story at FactorThis…
There's No Such Thing as Mapless Automated Driving
by Snigdha Bansal,TomTom
With AI taking on a larger role in automated driving (AD), expectations of what autonomous vehicles should be capable of are rising.
Summary
As AI assumes a greater role in automated driving (AD), some argue that maps are becoming obsolete. However, experts contend that while neural networks and “end-to-end” models improve perception, maps remain essential for providing grounded reality. Sensors alone often lack the contextual awareness to see beyond immediate obstacles or navigate through poor weather. Maps act as a critical stabilizing layer, preventing AI “hallucinations” and ensuring vehicle predictions align with actual road geometry and traffic rules.
Furthermore, maps serve as a vital interface, building passenger trust by visualizing the vehicle’s logic. Companies like TomTom are now using AI to automate mapmaking, creating highly precise, 3D environments that support machine reasoning. Ultimately, scalable autonomy requires combining sensor perception with map intelligence to ensure safety and reliability.
Read full story at TomTom…
Industry News
In Government
Announcing the 2026 Federal 100
by Jessie Bur
These 100 people made exceptional contributions to the government IT ecosystem last year.
Summary
Nextgov/FCW announced the 2026 Federal 100, recognizing 100 individuals who made exceptional contributions to the government IT ecosystem.
The winners, selected by a panel of senior leaders, represent a diverse group from government, industry, and academia. Their stories of dedication and vision will be shared in the Nextgov/FCW magazine, online, and at an Evening of Honors event.
CIA Announces New Acquisition Framework to Speed Tech Adoption
by David DiMolfetta
DARPA alum Efstathia Fragogiannis joined the agency as its new procurement chief in November and will be spearheading the effort, according to a CIA official.
Summary
The CIA announced a new acquisition framework to expedite technology adoption from the private sector.
The framework aims to streamline vendor vetting and IT authorization processes, enabling the agency to rapidly onboard new technologies and modernize its systems.
This initiative, led by new procurement chief Efstathia Fragogiannis, addresses the need for faster procurement timelines to support the agency's evolving mission and national security priorities.
Read full story at NextGpv…
How State and Local Agencies Can Build AI-Ready Data Foundations in 2026
by Christopher Marcolis
Governments can't scale artificial intelligence safely without trusted data foundations, minimum viable governance and clear accountability.
Summary
The conversation around Government AI is shifting. As we head into 2026, the focus has moved from flashy pilots to a hard truth: AI is only as good as the data foundation behind it.
To move from experimentation to execution, agencies must prioritize “minimum viable data governance”—a targeted, outcome-driven approach that ensures data is secure, governed, and fit for purpose. Success won’t be measured by model sophistication, but by the public trust we build through reliable, real-time data foundations.
Read full story at StateTech…
In Technology
Apple Study Shows Why We Want to Control AI
by
And we need to know why it makes the decisions it make
Summary
Apple's latest machine learning research highlights the importance of user control and transparency in AI systems.
Users want to make informed decisions, especially those with real-world consequences, and desire transparency in how AI makes choices.
This research underscores the need for human agency and explainable AI, aligning with concerns about AI's growing influence and the need for regulation.
Read full story at ComputerWorld…
Attackers Prompted Gemini Over 100,000 Times While Trying to Clone It, Google Says
by Benj Edwards
Distillation technique lets copycats mimic Gemini at a fraction of the development cost.
Summary
Google reported that “commercially motivated” actors attempted to clone its Gemini AI chatbot by prompting it over 100,000 times.
This practice, known as “model extraction,” involves training a new model on the outputs of an existing one, a technique called “distillation.” While distillation is a common and efficient training method, Google argues that it constitutes intellectual property theft when applied to its models without permission.
Read full story at arsTechnica…
Windows 11's most commonly requested feature is coming soon!
by Hans-Christian Durscherl
As early as summer 2026, Microsoft will finally be allowing users to do something they've been asking for nearly 5 years.
Summary
Microsoft is reportedly addressing a major user grievance by restoring the ability to move and resize the Windows 11 taskbar in 2026. Since the OS's launch, the taskbar remained largely static at the bottom of the screen—a departure from three decades of Windows tradition. According to reliable reports, users will soon be able to dock the taskbar at the top, left, or right edges of the screen.
This update requires Microsoft to redesign integrated features like Copilot and the Start menu to function seamlessly in vertical orientations. Additionally, the taskbar will become resizable, with icons dynamically scaling to match. This change is viewed as a necessary concession to improve Windows 11's popularity as it continues to face stiff competition from its predecessor, Windows 10.
Read full story at PCWorld…
In Utilities
2026 US Power Sector Outlook
by Meris Lutz
Utility Dive's road map to the year ahead for FERC, affordability, renewable energy, distributed energy resources and more.
Summary
In 2026, the U.S. electric utility sector confronts unprecedented load growth—driven largely by data centers, electrification, and industrial demands—that strains the grid’s physical infrastructure and long-standing regulatory frameworks.
Federal and state authorities clash over jurisdiction for managing this surge, amid mounting pressure on officials to curb rising electricity costs. Meanwhile, the Trump administration advances greater federal oversight of the power system under its “energy dominance” agenda, prioritizing reliable supply, fossil fuels, nuclear, and accelerated permitting.
Utility Dive’s 2026 outlook series maps the year ahead: key developments at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), new federal policy effects on renewables and other resources, and emerging technologies for greater efficiencies. These trends are reshaping how America generates and delivers power in a pivotal year for the energy sector.
Read full story at UtilityDive…
Duke to Power Microsoft, Compass Data Centers in North Carolina
by Bloomberg
The two agreements, combined with another undisclosed tech customer, increase the utility's data center contracts to 4.5 gigawatts from 3 gigawatts.
Summary
Duke Energy has signed deals with Microsoft and Compass to power expansive data center complexes under construction in North Carolina as the artificial intelligence boom supercharges the demand for electricity.
Those two agreements combined with another undisclosed tech customer increase the utility's data center contracts to 4.5 gigawatts from 3 gigawatts, according to the company's fourth-quarter earnings presentation. A gigawatt is roughly the output of one traditional nuclear reactor.
Read full story at PoliticoPro…
Trump Orders Federal Coal Purchase. What Does It Mean for TVA?
by Mariah Franklin
Summary
President Trump ordered the Department of Defense to purchase power from coal plants, citing national security and energy concerns.
This move supports the coal industry, a key part of Trump's political base, and could lead to new power purchase agreements with TVA, which has four coal plants and plans to keep two running past 2028.
Despite this, TVA was not selected for Department of Energy funding for coal plant upgrades.
Read full story at KnoxNews…
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