GeoAI: a review of artificial intelligence approaches for the interpretation of complex geomatics data

Abstract. Researchers have explored the benefits and applications of modern artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in different scenarios. For the processing of geomatics data, AI offers overwhelming opportunities. Fundamental questions include how AI can be specifically applied to or must be specifically created for geomatics data. This change is also having a significant impact on geospatial data. The integration of AI approaches in geomatics has developed into the concept of geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI), which is a new paradigm for geographic knowledge discovery and beyond. However, little systematic work currently exists on how researchers have applied AI for geospatial domains. Hence, this contribution outlines AI-based techniques for analysing and interpreting complex geomatics data. Our analysis has covered several gaps, for instance defining relationships between AI-based approaches and geomatics data. First, technologies and tools used for data acquisition are outlined, with a particular focus on red–green–blue (RGB) images, thermal images, 3D point clouds, trajectories, and hyperspectral–multispectral images. Then, how AI approaches have been exploited for the interpretation of geomatic data is explained. Finally, a broad set of examples of applications is given, together with the specific method applied. Limitations point towards unexplored areas for future investigations, serving as useful guidelines for future research directions.