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Leading Minds in GeoAI Convene for RCAIG’s Landmark 2026 Workshop

Hosted by the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the 2026 Workshop and Tutorial in GeoAI Advancements and Applications has successfully concluded. Now in its third year, this flagship event brought together over 160 participants, including world-renowned academics, government officials, and industry pioneers, to explore the transformative power of GeoAI.  The workshop was generously supported by the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), the Research Institute of Land and Space (RILS), and the Spatial Data Office (SDO) of the Development Bureau, HKSAR Government. Chaired by Professor Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and RCAIG, this workshop focused on bridging the gap between AI theory and real-world applications to derive scientific insights from complex geospatial data.  Pioneering Visions and Collaborative Milestones  The workshop commenced with welcoming remarks from Professor Jiannong Cao (Vice President of Education, PolyU), Professor Qihao Weng (Workshop Chair and Director of RCAIG), and Sr. Professor Paul Tsui (CEO, Esri China Hong Kong; Adjunct Professor, HKUST). The event also featured a special address by Hon. Mr. Duncan Chiu (Legislative Council Member, HKSAR), who shared his insights on urban transformation empowered by GeoAI.  A key highlight of the opening session was the announcement of plans to establish the Geospatial Artificial Intelligence Forum (GeoAIF). Endorsed by PolyU, this initiative aims to position Hong Kong as a leading global hub for safe, reliable, and ethical geospatial AI technology. The forum will bring together experts from academia, industry, and government to drive translational research and advise on national and international policy. Professor Qihao Weng presented the initiative’s vision, mission, strategic roadmap, and expected outcomes, while Hon. Duncan Chiu and Professor Jiannong Cao shared valuable perspectives on the profound significance of GeoAIF for both Hong Kong and the University.  Prominent guests of honour and VIPs in attendance also included Sr. Raymond Choi (Spatial Data Office, Development Bureau) , and senior representatives from the Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department, including Mr. Cheuk Man Yeung, Mr. Ying Kit Wong, Mr. Yue Chun Chan, and Mr. Man Cheong So.  Global Keynotes on Spatial Intelligence  The workshop featured an extraordinary assembly of global keynote speakers, combining local expertise with international perspectives. Among them, Professor Jiannong Cao of PolyU explored the future of ubiquitous AI, while virtual keynote presentations by Professor Michael Batty of UCL and Professor Dev Niyogi of the University of Texas at Austin discussed the evolution of AI in city planning and the development of interoperable City Digital Twins. Other keynote speakers included Professor Lan Mu of the University of Georgia, Chair Professor Bo Huang of HKU, Professor Yu Liu of Peking University, Professor Maria Antonia Brovelli of Politecnico di Milano, Chair Professor Xiaoli Ding of PolyU, Chair Professor Hui Su of HKUST, Professor Bisheng Yang of Wuhan University, Professor Jun Li of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), and Mr Keran Wang of UN ESCAP, who shared insights across application-driven GeoAI, spatial intelligence, land cover mapping, InSAR, tropical cyclone forecasting, autonomous mapping, urban flood monitoring, and sustainable geospatial innovation.  Advanced Insights from Invited Experts  The comprehensive technical sessions were further enriched by a distinguished lineup of regional and international invited experts presenting cutting-edge, data-driven GeoAI solutions. International perspectives were highlighted by speakers such as Professor Cheolhee Yoo of Pusan National University, who examined remote sensing for urban heat risk and emissions; Professor Kazuhito Ichii of Chiba University, who discussed GeoAI-driven terrestrial monitoring with geostationary satellites; and Dr Hao Li of the National University of Singapore, who spoke on responsible AI for disaster resilience in a changing climate. Locally, PolyU researchers, including Professor Xintao Liu, Professor Yang Xu, Professor George Z.Z. Liu, and Professor Guoqiang Shi, shared highly applicable work on spatial data science, smart urban mobility, rainfall forecasting, and satellite- and deep-learning-enabled infrastructure health monitoring for Hong Kong’s reclamation areas.  Looking Ahead  As RCAIG celebrates the success of this landmark event, the Centre extends its heartfelt gratitude to all distinguished guests, speakers, and participants who contributed to making this third edition a resounding success. This workshop has once again underscored RCAIG’s commitment to driving innovation, fostering global collaboration, and shaping the future of geospatial artificial intelligence.  We look forward to welcoming you all back next year for the 2027 edition as we continue to push the boundaries of GeoAI together. 

Monthly Workshop Highlights of May 2026: Research Progress at RCAIG

On May 29, 2026, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University held its monthly workshop, bringing together researchers and students from the centre. Hosted by Prof. Qihao Weng, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence, and chaired by Dr. Pir Mohammad, Research Assistant Professor, the workshop explored a diverse range of topics at the intersection of geomatics, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, and sustainable development.  During the workshop, the centre’s Research Assistant Professors and postdoctoral researchers shared their latest progress across several emerging research directions, including urban thermal comfort, renewable energy, forest disturbance, urban datasets, geospatial embeddings, and climate risk assessment. Dr. Ali Ismaeel presented high-resolution mapping of the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) to assess human thermal comfort. Dr. Kalingga Titon Nur Ihsan assessed the storage and backup capacity for solar energy installations under both current and future scenarios. Dr. Rui Sun introduced her updated research on pan-tropical fire-related forest loss, Fire–LST responses, attribution and mediation analysis, and future work on fire-attributable warming. Dr. Xihong Lian presented progress on improving tree detection models and acquiring global urban datasets. Dr. Yijie Wu shared her latest findings regarding the morphological structure of urban similarity in the general geospatial embedding space. Dr. Farhan Saleem presented high-resolution CORDEX-CORE projections and exposure risks for croplands and populations, highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation and stakeholder engagement in vulnerable regions, particularly Pakistan.  Ph.D. students also presented their ongoing research, covering urban cooling, vegetation phenology, remote sensing pre-training, computational imaging, and land-use efficiency. Mr. Xin Li reported on the edge effect as a mediator linking landscape patterns and cooling efficiency. Ms. Lihong Wang discussed the "balancing act" between climatic drivers and biological carry-over to maintain the stability of allocation of time. Her research shows that under future warming, negative autumn-to-spring carry-over strengthens, whereby extended late-season activity constrains subsequent green-up. Mr. Ziyun Yan compared various pre-training frameworks and demonstrated the superiority of self-distillation in remote sensing time-series pre-training, which is capable of mining unique temporal information. Mr. Xi Chen presented his previous research in computational imaging, covering Transformer-based, diffusion model-based, and deep unfolding-based algorithms. Mr. Lu Weipeng introduced a study recently published in Land Use Policy on data consistency assessment and global land-use efficiency evaluation, and shared the motivation behind the research.  Throughout the session, Prof. Qihao Weng provided expert leadership by steering the academic discourse and offering critical insights on each presentation. His constructive critiques allowed the researchers to further sharpen their methodologies and theoretical frameworks.   The workshop continued to provide an important platform for RCAIG members to share research progress, exchange ideas, and refine ongoing work. By bringing together diverse topics ranging from urban climate and renewable energy to remote sensing, computational imaging, and geospatial AI, the workshop supported cross-disciplinary discussion and collaboration. These monthly gatherings will continue to support RCAIG’s efforts to advance GeoAI research and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future. 

Prof. Xiaoxiang Zhu Delivers Insightful Seminar on AI for Earth Observation at PolyU

On 15 May 2026, the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was honored to welcome Prof. Xiaoxiang Zhu from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), who visited at the invitation of Prof. Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG). During her visit, Prof. Zhu delivered a seminar titled “AI for Earth Observation: From Petabytes to Actionable Insights,” which attracted more than 70 participants.  In the seminar, Prof. Zhu discussed how artificial intelligence is reshaping Earth observation by transforming massive volumes of satellite data into actionable insights. She highlighted the growing importance of geoinformation derived from Earth observation satellite data in addressing major societal challenges, including urbanization, climate change, and sustainable development. She also discussed how recent advances in artificial intelligence and foundation models are opening new opportunities for large-scale geoinformation retrieval and Earth system understanding.  Following Prof. Zhu’s presentation, faculty members, research staff, and students from LSGI and RCAIG raised many insightful questions, leading to a lively academic exchange with Prof. Zhu. After the seminar, Prof. Weng introduced Prof. Zhu to the RCAIG facilities and shared the centre’s latest research initiatives.  The visit served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, strengthening the academic ties between the Chair of Data Science in Earth Observation at TUM and the LSGI & RCAIG at PolyU. By bringing together leading experts and aspiring researchers, the event highlighted the critical role of interdisciplinary innovation in shaping the future of geomatics and environmental sustainability.  

Prof. Qihao Weng Attends HK ArcGIS Launch Ceremony: A New Milestone in Local Geospatial Innovation

On May 4, Prof. Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was recently invited as an honorary guest to attend the HK ArcGIS Launch Ceremony hosted by Esri China (Hong Kong). The event celebrated the official introduction of HK ArcGIS, a specialized platform developed specifically for Hong Kong with locally owned intellectual property rights acquired from Esri Headquarters.  Built on world-leading ArcGIS technology, the platform supports Hong Kong's digital transformation with geoprocessing tools tailored to local scenarios. The system provides ready-to-use local datasets and out-of-the-box, pre-trained GeoAI models that have been specifically optimized for local urban features. This launch marks an important milestone in advancing trusted, locally developed GIS solutions that allow different data sources to be connected through geospatial mapping to assist in complex analysis and decision making.  The launch of HK ArcGIS represents an encouraging step toward strengthening Hong Kong’s local geospatial innovation ecosystem. RCAIG warmly congratulates its valued collaborator, Esri China (Hong Kong), on this important milestone. Under the leadership of Prof. Qihao Weng, RCAIG looks forward to further strengthening collaboration with Esri China (Hong Kong) in academic-industry exchange, applied GeoAI research, and the development of smarter, more sustainable, and locally responsive spatial solutions for Hong Kong.

Driving Innovation in GeoAI: Highlights from the April RCAIG Monthly Workshop

On April 30, 2026, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University held its monthly workshop, bringing together researchers and students from the centre. Hosted by Prof. Qihao Weng, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence, and chaired by Dr. Pir Mohammad, Research Assistant Professor, the workshop explored a diverse array of topics in the field.    The workshop highlighted a series of presentations by senior researchers, showcasing recent advances in urban climate, ecosystem resilience, and compound climate hazards. Dr. Pir Mohammad examined the driving variables of surface urban heat islands in Indian cities using a non-linear modelling approach. Dr. Chouaib El Hachimi demonstrated how mechanistic process understanding can guide AI models to improve evapotranspiration mapping. Dr. Md Mizanur Rahman presented findings on how extreme climate conditions reduce blue carbon in the world’s largest mangrove forest in Bangladesh. Dr. Baoling Gui discussed vegetation resilience, arguing that future vegetation states are largely constrained by historical conditions, while climate disturbances play a modulating role. Dr. Haider Abbas highlighted the increasing frequency, trends, and persistence of global humid-heat compound extremes, underscoring the urgency of addressing compound climate hazards in adaptation and policy planning.  The workshop also included presentations by Ph.D. students on urban mobility, vegetation dynamics, mangrove monitoring, climate vulnerability, building function mapping, and urban mobile carbon emissions. Ms. Mingyue Xu presented on equity-aware micromobility rebalancing through priority-risk prediction and truck-level control. Mr. Hamza Mukhtar examined the effects of Himalayan vegetation phenology shifts on ecosystem carbon uptake. Mr. Longjie Ye introduced a remote-sensing framework for large-scale mangrove canopy height estimation in coastal China. Ms. Wanru He explored the joint influence of climate and social vulnerability on migration. Ms. Yuhan Zhou presented a hierarchical framework for global building function mapping, and Mr. Zhixing Chen analyzed mobile carbon emissions and their driving factors in major global cities from 2017 to 2024.  Throughout the workshop, Prof. Qihao Weng actively guided the discussions and provided in-depth feedback on each research topic. After each presentation, he engaged with the speakers through constructive comments and practical suggestions to help refine their research designs.  The workshop continued to provide an important platform for RCAIG members to share research progress, exchange ideas, and refine ongoing work. By bringing together diverse topics ranging from coastal ecosystem monitoring to urban micromobility, the workshop supported cross-disciplinary discussion and collaboration. These monthly gatherings will continue to support RCAIG’s efforts to advance GeoAI research and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future. 

Bridging History and Innovation: RCAIG and the Land Registry Discuss AI for Archival and Cadastral Management

On 28 April 2026, members of the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) conducted a technical visit to the Land Registry Archive at the Sha Tin Government Offices.  The visit began with a detailed overview of the history and evolution of land registration in Hong Kong, followed by a viewing of the Archive’s preserved historical records. This session offered participants a unique perspective on how archival data serves as the foundation for modern land administration and public services.  Professor Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and RCAIG, provided an overview of the Centre’s establishment and shared updates on its latest research and projects.  To conclude the visit, both parties engaged in a productive brainstorming session to explore potential collaborations. The discussion focused on the intersection of AI and geomatics, specifically addressing how AI can enhance cadastral surveys and its potential to transcribe and trace historical documents written in traditional calligraphy. The group also discussed the feasibility of developing specialized applications to streamline these processes.  Overall, the visit served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, laying the groundwork for future partnerships between RCAIG and the Land Registry. By bridging archival expertise with cutting-edge AI research, both organizations look forward to exploring innovative solutions for land record management.

Inspiring the Next Generation: HKCT Students Explore the Future of Geomatics at RCAIG

On April 9, 2026, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was honored to host 28 students and 3 faculty members from the Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT).  Professor Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and RCAIG, along with his lab members, extended a warm welcome to the visitors. During a guided tour of the RCAIG, Professor Weng shared the center’s history, its core mission, and its current groundbreaking projects. Following the tour, Mr. Longjie Ye, an RCAIG PhD candidate, demonstrated a 360-degree scanning sensor, sparking the students' interest in scientific innovation. Other RCAIG researchers also actively engaged in the exchange, sharing their specialized expertise and providing insights into the diverse research areas currently being explored at the center.  Professor Weng also held a Q&A session, answering students' questions and inspiring them to envision practical applications of technology in solving real-world challenges.  The exchange provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing between RCAIG and HKCT. By opening our doors to aspiring students and faculty, we aim to bridge the gap between advanced research and practical education. RCAIG remains dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment that encourages the exploration of emerging technologies and their potential to solve global challenges. 

RCAIG Workshop Highlights: March 2026

On March 27, 2026, researchers and students from the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University convened for their monthly workshop series. Hosted by Prof. Qihao Weng, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence, and chaired by Dr. Pir Mohammad, Research Assistant Professor, the series serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing cutting-edge advancements at the intersection of geomatics and AI.  The session featured a series of insightful presentations by the center's postdocs. Dr. Binbin Li gave a presentation on how to fuse ICESat-2 laser altimeter data and other remote sensing data to quantify the potential submergence of global main river deltas; he shared the results of the potential submergence area and population within these deltas. Dr. Yijie Wu presented findings on urban morphological similarity derived from deep embeddings, showing that similarity is jointly regulated by built coverage and building height. Dr. Xihong Lian examined population exposure to compound extreme climate events. Dr. Kalingga Titon Nur Ihsan assessed the uncertainty of future solar energy supply under climate change projections. Dr. Peiyi Yin presented a preliminary data exploration on how urbanization affects temperature sensitivity to spring vegetation phenology across the Northern Hemisphere. Dr. Rui Sun presented updated findings exploring the association between fire and LST changes following forest loss, as well as the potential underlying mechanisms. She also introduced the recent fieldwork at the Dongzhaigang Mangrove Reserve, covering the team's itinerary and the ground data collected during the survey.  The workshop also showcased the work of the center’s Ph.D. candidates. Miss Mengying Cao presented her work on interactions between above- and belowground vegetation phenology across diverse climate zones in the Northern Hemisphere. Mr. Xin Li presented a temperature-based urban green space edge effect and its impact mechanisms. Miss Lihong Wang explained that, in the context of climate change, the response mechanisms of the three phenological stages of natural and planted forests to climate—as well as the carryover effects of the previous stage—are different. Mr. Ziyun Yan’s research demonstrated that self-supervised time-series models are capable of perceiving dynamic changes on the Earth's surface and successfully visualizing them. Mr. Weipeng Lu introduced recent research on 3D land use efficiency and found that there is an illusion of 2D sustainable development which is actually an overdraft of 3D space. Mr. Longjie Ye introduced his fieldwork at Dongzhaigang in Hainan, acquiring UAV imagery to monitor mangrove growth under the disturbances of typhoons and pests.  Throughout the session, Prof. Qihao Weng provided expert leadership by steering the academic discourse and offering critical insights on each presentation. His constructive critiques allowed the researchers to further sharpen their methodologies and theoretical frameworks.   The workshop concluded with a forward-looking discussion on the evolving landscape of AI-driven geomatics, highlighting RCAIG’s ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of interdisciplinary innovation and academic excellence.

Register Now: 2026 Workshop and Tutorial in GeoAI Advancements and Applications

Date: 11–12 June 2026 Venue: GH201, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Organized by: Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG); JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations Supported by: Spatial Data Office; Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics; and Research Institute of Land and Space, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University   Overview The 2026 Workshop and Tutorial in GeoAI Advancements and Applications will explore the forefront of geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) advancements and applications in ecosystems, infrastructure, and cities. In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the fields of Earth observations, geomatics, big data, environmental sciences, and sustainable development, this workshop will immerse participants in cutting-edge AI technologies and recent advancements, demonstrate their applications to complex real-world problems, and guide the derivation of meaningful scientific insights.   Registration Options LSGI Members: Current students and staff members of LSGI are invited to register free of charge using the link below: https://forms.office.com/r/YW6rCQ8Mgs?origin=lprLink   External Participants: If you are not a member of the LSGI department, please proceed to our External Registration Portal or scan the QR CODE on the poster to complete your registration and payment: https://cems.polyu.edu.hk/register?id=3B6C7928-2B8B-49ED-85A5-95AECEC5E092   Exclusive Registration Perks All registered external participants will receive a comprehensive hospitality package on their registered day(s), including: • Coffee breaks with refreshments • Complimentary Lunch • Welcome Dinner • Official Programme Brochure   Guests of Honor We are honored to welcome our distinguished guests: • Mr. Hendrick Sin: Deputy to the National People’s Congress; Co-founder and Controlling Shareholder, CMGE Technology Group; Chairman, China Prosperity Capital; President, Internet Professional Association; and Chairman, the Hong Kong Government AI Subsidy Scheme. • Mr. Duncan Chiu: Member of the Legislative Council for the Technology and Innovation functional constituency of HKSAR; President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council (HKITJC); Chairman of HKTDC Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Services Advisory Committee; and Chairman, Information Technology Services Committee of the Hospital Authority. • Professor Jiannong Cao: Vice President (Education), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. • Sr Professor Paul Tsui: Chief Executive Officer, Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited; Adjunct Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. • Sr Raymond Choi: Head of Spatial Data Office, Development Bureau, HKSAR Government • Mr. Keran Wang: Chief, Space Applications Section, Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).   Invited Speakers Our program features a distinguished group of global keynote speakers, including Prof. Jiannong Cao (PolyU), Prof. Michael Batty (UCL), Prof. Lan Mu (UGA), Prof. Dev Niyogi (UT Austin), Mr. Keran Wang (UN ESCAP), Prof. Maria Antonia Brovelli (PoliMI), Prof. Yu Liu (Peking), Prof. Bisheng Yang (WHU), Prof. Bo Huang (HKU), Prof. Hui Su (HKUST), Prof. Jun Li (CUG), Prof. Xiaoli Ding (PolyU), and Prof. QihaoWeng (PolyU).    We are also excited to host a lineup of invited speakers: Prof. CheolheeYoo (PNU, Korea), Prof. Jie Chen (CSU), Prof. ChunpengChen (ECNU), Prof. Ting Yun (NJFU), Dr. Hao Li (NUS, Singapore), Prof. Kazuto Ichii(Chiba U, Japan), Prof. XiaojuanQi (HKU), Prof. HongshengZhang (HKU), Prof. Bin Chen (HKU), Prof. Kai Han (HKU), Prof. Xi Chen (CUHK), Prof. George Liu (PolyU), Prof. Xiaolin Zhu (PolyU), Prof. Guoqiang Shi (PolyU), Prof. TiangangYin (PolyU), Prof. XintaoLiu (PolyU), Prof. Yang Xu (PolyU), and Prof. Catherine Liu (PolyU).    Presentation Titles Prof. Jiannong Cao: Towards the Future of Ubiquitous AI Prof. Cheolhee Yoo: Remote Sensing for Urban Sustainability: Tracking Heat Risk and Emissions Amid Rapid Urban Growth Prof. Lan Mu: Applications First: What Really Drives GeoAI in Health and Environmental Studies  Prof. Xintao Liu: Spatial Data Science and Smart Cities in Hong Kong  Prof. Yang Xu: Modeling Fleet Size and Parking Needs for Shared Autonomous Vehicles in Future Cities Prof. Catherine Liu: FMDA-SI: Flow-Matching based Data Assimilation with Sparse and Irregular observations Prof. Hongsheng Zhang: Multimodal Remote Sensing of Coastal Environments Prof. Bo Huang: Spatial Intelligence for Urban Environmental Sustainability Prof. Yu Liu: Towards Spatial Intelligence versus Geo-spatial Intelligence Prof. Jie Chen: Bridging Morphology and Function: A Morphology -Guided Multimodal Model for Global Urban Region Representation Prof. Kai Han: Taming Foundation Models for Spatial Intelligence Prof. Maria Antonia Brovelli: Consensus-Based Labeling and Foundation Model Fine Tuning for Global High-Resolution Land Cover Mapping Dr. Vivek Anand: ReaLiTy and LADS: Physics-Aware LiDAR Data Adaptation for Cross-Sensor Domain and Adverse-Weather Scenarios Prof. Xiaolin Zhu: Applicability of AlphaEarth Foundations in mapping small objects Prof. Guoqiang Shi: Satellite and Deep-Learning Empowered Infrastructure Health Monitoring for Hong Kong's Reclamations Prof. Xiaoli Ding: GeoAI Meets InSAR: Opportunities, Challenges, and Perspectives Prof. Tiangang Yin: Site-to-Sensor Digital Twins: Physics-Guided AI for Enhancing Forest Information Retrieval From Remote Sensing Prof. Bin Chen: Multi-Dimensional Urban Sensing Empowered by Geospatial Big Data Prof. Hui Su: HIWindCast: A Deep Learning Model for Operational High-Resolution Tropical Cyclone Wind Forecasting  Prof. Xi Chen: UAV-based Multimodal Sensing for Horseshoe Crab Conservation Dr. Hao Li: Responsible AI for Geography: Shaping A Disaster Resilient Future in the Changing Climate Mr. Keran Wang: Empowering the youth for innovations in geospatial applications for sustainable development  Prof. Dev Noyogi: City Digital Twins Prof. Jun Li: GeoAI-Driven Heterogeneous Data Fusion for Urban Flood Monitoring Prof. Ting Yun: A Spherical-Harmonic Deep Learning Framework for Generic Tree Morphology and Species Identification Prof. Kazuto Ichii: Toward GeoAI-Driven Terrestrial Monitoring with Geostationary Satellites: High-Frequency Big Data, Downscaling, and Upscaling  Prof. Chunpeng Chen: GeoAI for Coastal Sustainability Monitoring and Applications   About the Workshop The Workshop and Tutorial in GeoAI Advancements and Applications is the flagship annual event of the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Now in its third year, this international forum is dedicated to exploring the forefront of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) and its transformative impact on ecosystems, infrastructure, climate resilience, and urban systems.   Chaired by Professor Qihao Weng, a global leader of Earth observation and GeoAI, the workshop serves as a premier platform for researchers and practitioners from academia, industry, and government to exchange cutting-edge ideas. Its mission is to bridge the gap between AI theory and real-world implementation, focusing on the derivation of meaningful scientific insights from Earth observations and complex geospatial data and cultivating future leaders.     The two-day rundowns are as follows:

LegCo Member Mr. Duncan Chiu Visits RCAIG

On April 9, 2026, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was honored to host Mr. Duncan Chiu, Member of the Legislative Council for the Technology and Innovation functional constituency of the HKSAR.  Professor Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and RCAIG, extended a warm welcome to Mr. Chiu alongside a distinguished group of colleagues. This welcoming party included Dr. Laura Lo, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU, as well as Sr. Ben Chan Siu-bun, former Deputy Director of the Lands Department (Survey and Mapping), and Mr. Chan Yue Chun, Land Surveyor (Technical) from the Survey and Mapping Office Headquarters. During a guided tour of the RCAIG, Professor Weng shared the center's developmental history, its core mission, and the strategic vision behind its establishment. Following the tour, all parties engaged in an in-depth exchange to discuss potential future collaborations and shared objectives in the field.  Biography:  Duncan Chiu is an advocate of local Tech and Innovation policies, a tech entrepreneur, a veteran investor and is often regarded as the leading figure in Hong Kong's Tech and Innovation sector. In 2022, Duncan was elected to the 7th term of the Legislative Council, representing the Technology and Innovation Constituency. Duncan has been a key contributor to Hong Kong's T&I development. He is President of Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council and Convenor of Innovate for Future, a think tank representing some of the leading start-ups. He is also Chairman of HKTDC Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Services Advisory Committee, Chairman of Advisory Committee of the Department of Systems Engineering & Engineering Management of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Member of Advisory Committee of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Duncan is also Member of Hospital Authority, Chairman of its Information Technology Services Committee, and Chairman of Hospital Governing Committee of Tin Shui Wai Hospital, Secretary-General of Asian Squash Federation, Chairman of Hong Kong Squash and Chairman of Lai Yuen Company Limited.