Exploring future GIS visions in the era of the scientific and technological revolution

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.

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Publication Details

Journal
Information Geography
Published
2025-03-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infgeo.2025.100007
Citations
7
Primary Topic
Geographic Information Systems Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
47.06
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article

Exploring future GIS visions in the era of the scientific and technological revolution

Chenghu Zhou
7 citations
Information Geography
Geographic Information Systems Studies
47.06
article

Exploring future GIS visions in the era of the scientific and technological revolution

Chenghu Zhou
article en
7 citations

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.

Information GeographyVol. 1(1)
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Geographic Information Systems Studies
47.06
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