Official announcements from Niantic or military organizations, news reports

Niantic Uses Pokémon Go Player Data to Train Geospatial AI Model for Real-World Navigation and Military Applications

Nov 19, 2024, 03:45 PM

Niantic, the company behind Pokémon Go, has announced it is leveraging the extensive geospatial data collected by its millions of players to develop an artificial intelligence model capable of navigating the real world. This dataset, generated by players as they engage with the game, has proven invaluable for training AI systems, particularly for applications in robotic navigation and potential military uses. The initiative highlights the unintended contributions of Pokémon Go players, who have effectively mapped large portions of the globe through their gameplay, providing a rich resource for AI development.