Damian Sabatini Espaliat

Information

Bio

I am an anthropologist with a master’s degree in Material and Visual Culture from University College London, where I am currently pursuing a PhD in Outer Space Anthropology under the supervision of Professor Victor Buchli. My research investigates the integration of artificial intelligence into Earth Observation from a humanistic and ethnographic perspective. It focuses on the semantic dimensions involved in how AI models classify and describe space - as well as on the practices, values, and experiences of engineers inside AI labs. Through this work, I aim to identify practical gaps and ethical tensions in AI4EO systems and to contribute to more context-aware and socially grounded approaches to Earth observation.

Current Role

Currently, I am a PhD student at University College London, where I am conducting an anthropological study on the involvement of Artificial Intelligence in Earth Observation (EO) data. My research aims to explore the intrinsic humanistic issues underlying these practices, with the goal of informing and improving them.

Areas of Expertise

My expertise lies in several key areas of anthropological research, including visual culture studies, the anthropology of technics and technology, and the anthropology of outer space. These specialisations enable me to mobilise anthropological approaches within engineering and space practices, offering significant benefits to ESA Φ-lab CIN by identifying, understanding, and critically engaging with deep humanistic issues that have material and practical implications for Earth observation practices (such as linguistic and ethical biases).

Vision for the Future

Driven by a vision of a future in which the social sciences and humanities -particularly anthropology, with its analytical frameworks and methods - can contribute meaningfully to human activities that profoundly shape what it means to be human today (such as the implication of Artificial Intelligence and Earth Observation) , I am committed to helping identify and harmonise the cultural and ethical tensions that emerge from the involvement of artificial intelligence in Earth observation.

Project as CIN Researcher

Coming Soon