Exploring future GIS visions in the era of the scientific and technological revolution
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Geographic information system (GIS) has evolved significantly since its inception, transitioning from basic cartographic tools to sophisticated platforms for analysing complex spatiotemporal phenomena. In the context of the current technological revolution, particularly advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), GIS faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges. This paper explores the historical path of GIS development and the integration of GIS with emerging technologies, such as cloud-native infrastructures, the Internet of Things, and GeoAI. It critically examines the transformative potential of these innovations in redefining GIS development as an integrative science that is capable of addressing global challenges. The analysis highlights the necessity for a unified geospatiotemporal paradigm and new service modes to enable more dynamic and intuitive geographic knowledge systems. We envision the future versions of GIS as panspatial information systems that bridge the physical, human, and information worlds and support humanity's fundamental quest to understand and manage complex spatial dynamics across scales and domains. • Offering a more comprehensive perspective on the development of Geographic Information Systems. • Exploring the deep integration of AI with GIS. • Emphasizing the unified spatiotemporal framework and panspatial information systems.
Source: Information Geography
Author: Chenghu Zhou
Language: English
Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,200
OpenAlex ID: W4408955131