We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Workshop and Tutorial in GeoAI Advancements and Applications has been successfully completed. Held on July 14-15, 2025, at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this two-day event brought together nearly 100 participants from Hong Kong and the oversea, including esteemed speakers, researchers, and professionals from various fields. The event kicked off with inspiring opening speeches from our esteemed guests of honour, Mr. Hendrick Sin, co-founder and vice chairman of CMGE Technology Group Ltd and chair of Hong Kong AI Subsidy Scheme; Dr. Winnie Tang, founder and chairman of Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited; and Prof. Qihao Weng, director of the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics and the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations at PolyU. Their insights provided a strong foundation for the discussions that followed, setting the stage for an engaging exploration of geospatial artificial intelligence.
A significant highlight of the opening was the announcement of the establishment of the Geospatial Artificial Intelligence Consortium (GeoAIC), which aims to pioneer interdisciplinary research and education in GeoAI, foster dynamic innovation ecosystems, and deliver actionable insights for sustainable urban development. Through these initiatives, we strive to enhance Hong Kong’s role as a global leader in geospatial data science and GeoAI, while supporting both national and international policy mandates.
In addition to this exciting announcement, the workshop included a memorable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing with Esri China (HK). This MOU establishes a framework for potential collaborations between Esri China (HK) and PolyU’s RCAIG in various aspects of GeoAI, including joint research and development, internships, scholarships, data and software support, and the potential establishment of a Joint Lab. Together, we aim to drive innovation, nurture local talent, and advance the application of geospatial technologies for societal benefit.
The event also featured a remarkable lineup of keynote speakers, including Prof. Shunlin Liang (HKU), Prof. Xiaofang Zhou (HKUST), Prof. Hui Su (HKUST), Prof. Xiaoyang Zhang (South Dakota State University), Prof. Qinghua Guo (Peking University), Prof. Yu Liu (Peking University), Prof. Bisheng Yang (Wuhan University), Prof. Xiaoli Ding (PolyU), and Prof. Qihao Weng (PolyU). Their presentations offered valuable insights into the latest advancements in GeoAI, inspiring participants to think critically about the future of the field.
In the afternoon, we held technical sessions in the afternoon, featuring speakers from various universities and organisations, including the University of Glasgow, HKU, CUHK, Peking University, and Yunqi Academy of Engineering. These sessions covered a wide array of topics related to geospatial artificial intelligence, providing attendees with the latest research findings, innovative applications, and emerging trends in the field.
We look forward to continuing our efforts in promoting GeoAI research and education in future events.
