Pokémon Go players recently discovered that Niantic is using their gameplay data to create a 3D model of the world, which will eventually evolve into a Large Geospatial Model (LGM) powered by AI. Niantic hopes to monetize this data, but the company is already aware of its potential for unintended uses, including military applications.

At Bellingcat’s Bellingfest event, Niantic’s Senior Vice President of Engineering, Brian McClendon, addressed concerns about the model's possible military use when asked if it could be utilized in conflict scenarios. "I could definitely see it," McClendon said. "If the use aligns with consumer or investigative purposes, that seems fine. But if it adds to military conflict, that’s obviously an issue."

For example, in the ongoing war in Ukraine, a complete 3D model of the region could provide Russia with a tactical advantage. Although Niantic hasn't ruled out selling LGM data to governments, the company acknowledges the ethical challenges ahead. A spokesperson stated, "The LGM is still in its early stages, months or years away from becoming a product. As with any AI, we’ll address these questions responsibly."

https://portaly.cc/ArmoredRobotsMechBattlemoney

https://portaly.cc/NARUTOUltimateNinjaSTORMmoney

https://portaly.cc/RagdollFistsunlimitedmoneygems

https://portaly.cc/SlimeQuestunlimitedmoneyandgems

https://portaly.cc/FrontlineHeroesunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/CRAMCIWSSimulatorunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/BattleBoxunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/WorldWarArmyBattleFPS3Dmoney

https://portaly.cc/AlienShooterWorldmoneygems

https://portaly.cc/CarnageWarsunlimitedmoneyandgems

https://portaly.cc/ArenaBreakoutunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/TheLegendofNeverlandmoneygems

https://portaly.cc/RopeFrogNinjaHerounlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/PixelGun3Dunlimitedcoinsandgems

https://portaly.cc/ClashRoyaleunlimitedgemsandcoins

https://portaly.cc/HunterAssassinunlimiteddiamonds

https://portaly.cc/3DTuningunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/HazmobFPSunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/DEADTRIGGER2moneyandgold

https://portaly.cc/HeadBall2unlimiteddiamondscoins

https://portaly.cc/DiggysAdventureunlimitedenergy

https://portaly.cc/CarXDriftRacing2unlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/CarXRallyunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/CrossoutMobileunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/MODERNWARSHIPSmoneygold

https://portaly.cc/DriftMaxProunlimitedmoneyandgold

https://portaly.cc/WildHuntHuntingGames3Dmoney

https://portaly.cc/WarfaceGlobalOperationsmoney

https://portaly.cc/EvilLandsmoneyandgems

https://portaly.cc/BLEACHBraveSoulsunlimitedorbs

https://portaly.cc/MonsterLegendsunlimitedgems

https://portaly.cc/CrisisActionunlimiteddiamonds

https://portaly.cc/MonsterSurvivorsmoneygems

https://portaly.cc/LastShelterSurvivalmoneydiamonds

https://portaly.cc/Standoff2unlimitedgold

https://portaly.cc/SummonersWarunlimitedcrystals

https://portaly.cc/CriticalOpsunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/WorldBusDrivingSimulatormoney

https://portaly.cc/BurnoutMastersunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/RealRacing3unlimitedmoneygold

https://portaly.cc/GangsTownStoryunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/ShadesShadowFightRoguelikemoney

https://portaly.cc/OWRCunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/SurvivalandCraftunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/DragonCityunlimitedgems

https://portaly.cc/MONOPOLYGOunlimiteddice

https://portaly.cc/MobileLegendsunlimiteddiamonds

https://portaly.cc/MatchMastersunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/FishingClashunlimitedcoinspearls

https://portaly.cc/StateofSurvivalunlimitedbiocaps

https://portaly.cc/GrowEmpireRomecoinsdiamonds

https://portaly.cc/AgeofMagicunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/DrivingZoneGermanyunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/DemolitionDerby3unlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/StuntCarExtremeunlimitedmoney

https://portaly.cc/StickmanArcherOnlinemoneygems

https://portaly.cc/BricksKingdomMODunlimitedgems

https://portaly.cc/TerminalMasterBusTycoonmoneygems

https://portaly.cc/JujutsuKaisenPhantomParadeMOD

https://portaly.cc/WartuneUltraMODunlimitedBalens

Currently, the LGM project focuses on mapping areas in North America and Europe, with much of the world still far from being included. For now, there’s no imminent risk of Pokémon being used to map conflict zones.

Meanwhile, Niantic’s other projects continue to thrive. Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket recently hit 30 million downloads in its first week, and a new line of Pokémon Gold and Silver 25th-anniversary merchandise is now available. Fans eagerly anticipate Pokémon Legends Z-A, slated for release in 2025.