Towards Ethical Spatial Decision-Making in Geospatial Artificial Intelligence
摘要
This chapter discusses the ethical considerations in spatial decision-making, focusing on the applications of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). Spatial decision-making uses geographic information systems (GIS), spatial data, and analytical tools to support decisions in areas such as urban planning, environmental management, and public health. While widely applied, the ethical implications of these processes—particularly regarding data use, algorithm design, and human perception—are underexplored. Geoethics provides a framework for addressing these concerns by integrating ethical, social, and cultural dimensions into geospatial technologies. This chapter first explores the use of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) and social sensing, highlighting privacy, informed consent, and data security challenges. It then discusses the importance of transparency and explainability in GeoAI to ensure ethical decision-making in contexts like disaster management and public health. The chapter also emphasizes the significance of scale, including spatial, temporal, and demographic factors, in shaping ethical decisions. It examines how different scales can lead to varied ethical considerations and outcomes, particularly in complex decision-making scenarios. Additionally, the role of spatial uncertainty is analyzed, focusing on how errors in spatial data can affect decision accuracy and accountability. By integrating geoethical principles into GeoAI, this chapter promotes responsible, transparent, and equitable decision-making.