#44: Filling Socioeconomic Data Gaps with Satellite Data - Abe Tarapani, Atlas AI

Today, I am speaking with Abe Tarapani, CEO of Atlas AI.

I wanted to feature Atlas AI as “Startup of the Month” on the podcast as I believe they are doing something very important and impactful with satellite data. I will let you listen to Abe explaining what Atlas AI does, but to give you an idea, they are attempting to fill the gaps in socioeconomic and environmental data across parts of the world that don’t have access to such data, leveraging Earth observation and machine learning, thereby making sure that significant economic and infrastructure-related decisions in those countries can be made efficiently.

In this episode, Abe and I discuss the problem Atlas AI is trying to solve and why their approach is different from a typical data company, their product strategy and knowing where to draw the line, why they publish details about their science & methodology, the recent announcement on the project with the Rockefeller Foundation and e-Guide, the need for the advisory service layer in EO and more.

Atlas AI's website

Rockefeller Foundation's project with Atlas AI

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01:15: Intro & Abe’s Story

04:29: The elevator pitch of Atlas AI

07:44: The problem Atlas AI is trying to solve and why is different from a typical Earth observation company

13:28: Atlas AI’s technology stack, products and target markets

21:12: Product strategy - how to draw the line: Atlas AI’s perspective

24:42: Do Atlas AI’s customers care where the data comes from

28:41: Why publish the scientific methodology behind the product and why it could be important

33:05: The project with the Rockefeller Foundation and e-Guide

40:30: Thoughts on the state of EO and the need for the advisory service layer in EO

49:26: Wrap-up