Fulcrum at Esri User Conference 2025: redefining fieldwork with agentic AI
What a week it’s been at the Esri User Conference! For the past five days, San Diego has been buzzing with the brightest minds in GIS. A large crew from Fulcrum was there, going to sessions, connecting with people at the booth, and, of course, socializing with peers after hours. It was a great week focused on pushing the boundaries of geospatial technology.
This event is a unique melting pot of professionals who support everything from strategic decision-making in the boardroom to hardhat-wearing “boots on the ground” in the field. Our focus is on the latter, especially in critical sectors like power utilities, water utilities, and environmental engineering. And they were out in force.
A new era of fieldwork: agentic AI takes center stage
That focus on field operations has been a primary driver of our new vision of an AI-guided, hands-free experience for field teams, which we launched at the show on Tuesday.
AI is often overhyped, to be sure, but we’re not playing buzzword bingo. We started with significant challenges that our customers face in the field, and we’ve thought through how AI can help. Now we’re telling the world about our vision for an AI-guided, intelligent experience that will set new benchmarks for productivity, safety, and compliance.
Showcasing the vision
On Tuesday, Fulcrum presented a session called “No, really: how far can AI push fieldwork in the next two years?” blending our vision with pragmatism and a healthy dose of skepticism. The focus was a grounded, realistic look at what’s possible and how to prepare for AI-based changes ahead.
The presentation kept a standing-room-only crowd listening for the full 45 minutes. Fortunately for those who missed it, it’s now available on-demand. Check it out to see what the buzz was about!
Seeing is believing: the power of visuals
The discussions we had with attendees, press, and analysts were very productive, underscoring the industry’s readiness for leadership in field-oriented AI.
In particular, a significant part of the overwhelmingly positive feedback we got came from a new video that shows people exactly what this new experience will look like. In the video, the AI agent inside Fulcrum tells the story, working through a real use case with a field worker. Check it out:
Connecting with the GIS community
Our booth was a hub of activity and great conversations. We loved catching up with our current customers. It’s always fantastic to see familiar faces and reinforce the strong relationships we’ve built.
Additionally, we welcomed new faces eager to learn about Fulcrum and connected with partners like ZUKK, visiting from Brazil.
No matter the industry or where they came from, everyone we spoke with shared a similar goal. Specifically, they were focused on building strong relationships that drive productivity, cut down on frustration, and help everyone move forward.
A moment to recharge
On Tuesday night, Fulcrum was proud to co-sponsor the Electric & Gas and Telecommunications Social at Bayfront Park. It was a relaxed, come-as-you-are kind of evening — the perfect chance for utility and telecom professionals to catch their breath, share a drink, and swap stories from the field. For us, it was another great opportunity to connect with the people doing the work Fulcrum is built to support.
A big night at the ballpark
After a week of tech talk, demos, and wall-to-wall conversations, we headed to Petco Park for Esri’s closing night party. There were fireworks over the outfield, music, food, and a giant baseball that practically demanded a group photo. Altogether, it was the kind of night that reminds you this community works hard — and knows how to celebrate, too.
A heartfelt thanks
We want to extend our sincere gratitude to Esri for yet another impeccably organized and impactful event. And a special thank you to Jack Dangermond, whose profound commitment to his customers, partners, and the global impact of geospatial software continues to inspire.
This was a long week, and yes, we’re tired. But we’re leaving San Diego feeling satisfied with all of our hard work and energized by the connections we made. We’re also deeply appreciative of everyone who stopped by to share their insights and enthusiasm for the future of fieldwork. Fulcrum’s already looking forward to next year!
