Mapping Economic Development in New Mexico Through Cyberinfrastructure-Enabled Remote Sensing and AI

This project addresses critical data gaps in economic measurement by integrating satellite imagery, nighttime lights, and AI modeling to create New Mexico’s first high-resolution Economic Development Index. Traditional surveys often fail to capture detailed data in rural and tribal areas, while satellite observations alone lack socioeconomic context. To address this, we will develop AI models that analyze road networks, land use patterns, and nighttime light to predict economic indicators (e.g., income and employment) where survey data are sparse, validating these estimates against existing census data. These predictions, combined with current datasets, support the construction of a new index using graph neural networks to quantify development levels across New Mexico.

We will use a dynamic web platform built with ArcGIS StoryMaps to visualize these indicators, helping policymakers and community leaders identify disparities and guide investments in infrastructure, broadband, and job creation. The project also strengthens New Mexico’s tech workforce by hosting a hands-on workshop in AI and geospatial analytics for undergraduates.