The Earth intelligence industry is on a transformative trajectory, with global revenues expected to surpass $4.2 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Gartner, Inc. The surge comes as the sector transitions from being government-dominated to one increasingly shaped by the private sector.
Gartner forecasts that cumulative direct revenue opportunities in Earth intelligence — which includes data, analysis services and AI-driven applications — will total $20 billion between 2025 and 2030, up from nearly $3.8 billion in 2025 alone.
Defined as the use of AI to interpret Earth observation data, Earth intelligence combines satellite imaging, ground sensors, and aerial drones to generate actionable insights. The technology is already being used in logistics, agriculture, energy, climate monitoring, and global trade, but analysts say the real value is only just beginning to emerge.
Private Sector to Overtake Governments
Traditionally dominated by state and military agencies, Earth intelligence is undergoing a major commercial pivot. Gartner estimates that by 2030, enterprise spending will account for more than 50% of total investment in Earth intelligence — a significant leap from just 15% in 2024.
“The value of Earth intelligence is only now being realized,” said Bill Ray, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner. “Vendors are beginning to apply AI to immense volumes of satellite and sensor data, enabling real-time tracking of environmental and industrial changes with unprecedented precision.”
From identifying storm-blocked railways and monitoring metal refinery heat signatures, to analysing vehicle patterns for consumer trends, Earth intelligence is rapidly becoming a critical tool for industry-specific decision-making.
Race to Make Sense of Data
According to Gartner, the future of Earth intelligence hinges on who can best convert oceans of raw data into industry-specific insights. This challenge is driving intense innovation in satellite technology, particularly in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) systems. These satellites — cheaper to launch and equipped with radar and hyperspectral imaging — now offer resolutions as fine as 10 centimetres, sharp enough to detect objects as small as a mouse.
“AI is essential to Earth intelligence,” Ray added. “Unlike other domains where data scarcity is the problem, this industry suffers from an overload of data. Engineering this data into fit-for-purpose insights for AI models is the key to unlocking value.”
Emerging Business Opportunities
As Earth intelligence scales, new commercial avenues are emerging. Providers are expected to offer data packages, analytics models, specialised AI tools, and even white-label applications to industries lacking in-house capabilities.
The report suggests Earth intelligence will become a cornerstone of strategic decision-making, particularly in agriculture, mining, shipping, climate resilience, and infrastructure planning.
With continued investment, particularly from private firms building satellites, sensors, and analytics platforms, Earth intelligence could become one of the most disruptive technological domains of the decade.
