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AI in Cartography

A New Era of Making and Using Maps

  • 1st Edition - March 1, 2027
  • Latest edition
  • Editors: Samantha T. Arundel, Raimund Schnürer
  • Language: English

AI in Cartography: A New Era of Making and Using Maps offers an in-depth exploration of how artificial intelligence is transforming the field of cartography. The book begins by est… Read more

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Description

AI in Cartography: A New Era of Making and Using Maps offers an in-depth exploration of how artificial intelligence is transforming the field of cartography. The book begins by establishing the foundational concepts of AI technologies relevant to mapmaking, including the data requirements and practical implementation of AI-driven cartographic solutions. It highlights how AI enhances map recognition and analysis, enabling more efficient and accurate interpretation of spatial information. The digitization of historical maps through AI techniques preserves valuable geographic heritage while facilitating modern analysis. The text further examines automated map generalization and generative AI approaches that revolutionize cartographic representation, improving both the creation and usability of maps. It also addresses important challenges such as bias, uncertainty, and the explainability of AI systems, alongside the ethical and governance issues surrounding AI in mapping. These discussions emphasize the need for responsible and transparent AI applications in cartography. Innovations in AI-driven topographic and thematic mapping are showcased, illustrating the growing role of AI in supporting smart cities and digital twin technologies. The book also explores how AI contributes to resilience and sustainability in environmental management. Looking ahead, it outlines future directions for integrating AI with cartographic practices, highlighting the potential for continued advancement in this dynamic field. This comprehensive volume serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners, demonstrating how AI is reshaping the art and science of mapping for the modern era.

Key features

  • Reviewing definitions, theoretical foundations, problems, and challenges to offer an extensive view of the state of the art of AI in Cartography
  • Detailing best practices, practical examples, and applications to provide a sense of what AI is currently capable of and which network or technique to apply for which task
  • Examining future implications, potential innovations, and research gaps to motivate readers to tackle social, economic, and environmental problems

Readership

Post-graduate students, faculty, researchers, and professionals in Cartography, Geographic Information Science, Geomatics, and Geography

Table of contents

Section I: Foundations

1. Introduction to AI in Cartography

2. Core AI Technologies for Cartography

3. Data Foundations for AI in Cartography

4. Implementation of Cartographic AI Solutions

Section II: Applications

5. Map Recognition and Analysis by AI

6. AI-based Digitization of Historical Maps

7. Automated Map Generalization

8. Generative AI and Cartographic Representation

9. AI-Enhanced Usability of Cartographic Products

Section III: Challenges

10. Cartographic AI Knowledge Base for Education

11. Bias, Uncertainty, and Explainability in AI Cartography

12. Ethics and Governance of AI in Mapping

Section IV: Innovations

13. AI-Driven Topographic and Thematic Mapping

14. The Role of AI in Smart Cities and Digital Twins

15. Towards Resilience in a Sustainable Environment

16. Future Directions in AI and Cartography Glossary

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: March 1, 2027
  • Language: English

About the editors

SA

Samantha T. Arundel

Dr. Samantha T. Arundel is the Senior Science Advisor for the National Geospatial Program (NGP) and Director of the Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). With extensive expertise in geospatial science, AI-driven mapping, and applied research, Sam has led initiatives to modernize national geospatial data infrastructure, enhance automation in mapping workflows, and advance the integration of GeoAI, hydrography, and topographic data analytics. Their work focuses on bridging applied research and operational geospatial programs, ensuring that cutting-edge science translates into impactful, real-world applications for USGS and its partners.
Affiliations and expertise
Senior Science Advisor, National Geospatial Program (NGP) and Director, Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), USA

RS

Raimund Schnürer

Dr. Raimund Schnürer is Geoinformation Officer at Dinser Expertise GmbH. He is affiliated with the Digital Humanities Laboratory, the Urban Sociology Laboratory and the Time Machine Organization. Additionally, he is vice-chair of the ICA commission on GeoAI. His research, amongst others, involves digitizing historical maps and documents by computer vision techniques. He conducted his dissertation ‘Storytelling with Animated Interactive Objects in Real-time 3D Maps’ at the Institute of Cartography and Geoinformation, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ). For this doctoral project, he identified pictorial figures on maps and reconstructed them in 3D using deep learning methods. Before he worked as a research assistant and developer for the Atlas of Switzerland. He obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geoinformatics at the University of Münster, Germany. His research interests are machine learning, 3D cartography, web application development, data management and human-computer-interactions.

Affiliations and expertise
Dinser Expertise GmbH, Switzerland