Where will the next flood strike? Which parts of a city will become hottest as the climate changes? By combining AI and geographic information, a new EU-funded project aims to help us understand the societal challenges of the future. Lund University is leading the initiative.
Maps have long helped us understand the world. Now they are being joined by artificial intelligence. A combination of the two, known as GeoAI (geospatial artificial intelligence), brings together AI and geographic information. Geographic information can include satellite imagery, maps, sensor data, transport information and environmental and population data.
When large amounts of information are linked to a specific location, AI can identify patterns and changes that would otherwise be difficult to detect.
"GeoAI can help us move from simply describing what has happened to understanding why it happens, what may happen next, and where the consequences may be greatest. But to do that reliably requires both technical expertise and an understanding of geographic data," says Ali Mansourian, professor at Lund University and director of the Lund University GIS Centre.
EU project coordinated by Lund University
The new EU project, GENIUS, aims to strengthen Europe's capacity to develop, evaluate and use GeoAI in a reliable and responsible way. With a budget of EUR 4 million, the project brings together more than 20 organisations from across Europe. Lund University is leading the initiative through the Lund University GIS Centre, with Professor Ali Mansourian serving as project coordinator.
The initiative will support Europe's digital and green transitions by strengthening the skills and innovation capacity needed to translate GeoAI into real-world benefits.
The goal: a European knowledge base for GeoAI
GeoAI is already being used in climate and environmental research. Satellite imagery, for example, can be analysed to monitor forests, wildfires, floods, glaciers, and land-use change.
When combined with other data sources, this information can also be used to investigate how different factors influence one another. Similarly, GeoAI can contribute to areas such as sustainable cities and mobility, natural resources and energy, emergency preparedness, infrastructure and public health.
Applications may include identifying areas at high risk of flooding, predicting which parts of a city are most vulnerable to extreme heat or determining where climate adaptation measures could have the greatest impact. However, more data and smarter algorithms do not solve everything.
"It is not enough to have a powerful AI model. You also need to understand what data is being used, how reliable the results are, and what uncertainties exist. Otherwise, there is a risk of making decisions based on an unreliable basis," says Ali Mansourian.
Opportunity to strengthen international collaboration
This is where GENIUS comes in. Over the next four years, the project will identify the knowledge and competencies needed for the future of GeoAI. Its goal is to establish a shared European knowledge base and develop resources and new approaches for advanced GeoAI competence development.
Another important objective is to strengthen collaboration between universities, industry and professional practice.
For Lund University, the project also represents an opportunity to strengthen its position as a European hub for GeoAI and spatial intelligence, a rapidly growing field. The University already has strong education and research activities in GIS, remote sensing, and GeoAI, including within the newly established Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, which was created in 2026. Through GENIUS, the department will be able to further expand its international networks and collaborations.
"We need people who can not only use today's GeoAI tools, but also understand their limitations and help develop the next generation. To me, that is an important part of GENIUS," Ali Mansourian concludes.
