In an interview with ESRI’s Matt Artz just prior to his departure from ESRI, David Maguire speaks of an unfinished project at ESRI – a “science laboratory.” It looks like David was looking to transform (some of) GIS into a scientific tool that would do much of the scientists’ work for them. Unless I’m wrong, it also looks like David’s departure was (at least to some extent) precipitated by his inability to push through his pet project – the science lab.

Can GIS ever become so scientifically sophisticated as to replace actual human scientists? Likewise, is it possible to build a CAD system so sophisticated that it will do the architects’ designing for them?

I say no, and no.