EUROGI Roundtable Discussion at GISTAM 2026: Shaping the Future of Geodata in Europe
Zilmil Bordoloi, July 28, 2026
I had the honor of representing SOGI (Swiss Organization for Geoinformation) and the City of Lucerne at the EUROGI Roundtable during the GISTAM 2026 conference in Benidorm. This allowed me to contribute the Swiss perspective to the discussion on the future of the European geoinformation landscape while also gaining valuable insights for the further development of geoinformation in Switzerland. The discussion brought together leading experts from national surveying authorities, academia, municipalities, and European institutions to discuss the future of the European geoinformation ecosystem.
The panel discussion focused on five key topics shaping the industry: the further development and simplification of the INSPIRE framework; the growing role of GeoAI in geoinformation practice; European data spaces and digital sovereignty; the practical benefits of digital twins for public decision-making processes; and future competencies in the areas of Earth observation, data cubes, and geoinformation. A common message emerging from the discussion was that Europe is evolving from the mere collection and harmonization of spatial data toward the use of trustworthy, AI-powered geoinformation intelligence to support evidence-based policy and operational decision-making processes.
The participants agreed that while technological progress is advancing rapidly, success will depend equally on strong governance, interoperability, a skilled workforce, and cooperation at all levels of government. The roundtable underscored the importance of striking a balance between openness and data sovereignty, ensuring transparency in the use of AI, and investing in people and institutional capacities so that advanced geoinformation technologies can create tangible public value throughout Europe.
From a Swiss perspective, it was particularly interesting that many of the challenges and opportunities discussed are also highly relevant to Switzerland. Topics such as interoperability, trustworthy data use, digital twins, GeoAI, and the integration of national and local geodata strategies are also of concern to Swiss authorities, cities, and professional organizations. The discussion showed that, thanks to its established geodata infrastructures and federal cooperation, Switzerland can contribute valuable experience to the European dialogue.
Europe’s Geospatial Future: Key Takeaways from the EUROGI Roundtable at GISTAM 2026
At GISTAM 2026, the European Umbrella Organization for Geoinformation (EUROGI) brought together leading experts from government, academia, and local authorities to discuss the future of the European geoinformation landscape. Moderated by EUROGI President Alejandro Guinea de Salas, the panel discussion featured representatives from the Spanish National Center for Geoinformation (CNIG), the University of Maribor, Aberystwyth University, as well as SOGI (Swiss Organization for Geoinformation) and the City of Lucerne.
The discussion addressed five interrelated topics: the future of the INSPIRE framework, the impact of GeoAI, European data spaces and digital sovereignty, digital twins for public decision-making processes, and the skills that will shape the next generation of geoinformation professionals.
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was that Europe is entering a new phase of geospatial development. Rather than focusing primarily on the collection, harmonization, and publication of data, the emphasis is increasingly shifting toward the use of geoinformation as a basis for operational decision-making. The interplay of artificial intelligence, Earth observation, interoperable data ecosystems, digital twins, and sovereign cloud infrastructures is likely to be among the defining developments over the next five years. Together, these technologies have the potential to fundamentally transform the way governments monitor environmental changes, respond to crises, and address long-term societal challenges.
The panelists also addressed the further development of the INSPIRE framework. Although interoperability remains one of Europe’s greatest strengths, there was broad agreement that future geoinformation frameworks should focus less on regulatory complexity and more on practical applicability. Success should not be measured solely by compliance with technical specifications, but rather by how easily cities, regional authorities, and national institutions can access, integrate, and use geoinformation in their day-to-day decision-making processes.
These developments are particularly relevant for Switzerland, as we are closely integrated with European geoinformation ecosystems. Issues of interoperability, data harmonization, and cross-border cooperation directly affect numerous sectors. The discussion confirmed that Switzerland, with its proven geodata structures, strong municipal and cantonal roots, and experience in managing federal data landscapes, can make an important contribution to the European geoinformation community.
Investment priorities were also discussed at length. Although standards, infrastructure, and AI expertise remain of central importance, there was consensus that people should come first. Building institutional capacity, strengthening interdisciplinary expertise in the fields of geoinformation and artificial intelligence, and promoting continuous professional development were viewed as the foundation for all technological progress. Without qualified professionals capable of managing increasingly complex digital ecosystems, even the most modern infrastructure will not create sustainable public value.
Another recurring theme was Europe’s ability to reconcile openness with sovereignty. The panelists agreed that interoperability and open standards remain indispensable for addressing cross-border challenges such as climate adaptation, environmental protection, and disaster management. At the same time, geopolitical developments and the growing dependence on external digital platforms have heightened the importance of resilience and strategic autonomy. Rather than viewing openness and sovereignty as conflicting goals, the discussion highlighted the need for trustworthy data ecosystems that combine open standards with secure governance, transparent artificial intelligence, and stronger public oversight of critical digital infrastructure.
Future requirements for skilled professionals were also a central focus of the discussion. By the end of the decade, the professional profile in the geoinformation sector will evolve far beyond traditional GIS expertise. Specialists will increasingly need skills in the areas of cloud-native geodata processing, GeoAI, data engineering, interoperability, governance, and digital ethics. Equally important will be the ability to translate complex technical analyses into understandable information that supports political, planning, and operational decisions. Systems thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration will become indispensable as geoinformation technologies are increasingly integrated into sectors such as transportation, energy, climate resilience, and urban development.
The panel discussion also distinguished between technologies that already deliver operational value today and those that are still in an earlier stage of development. Cloud-native geoinformation infrastructures, Earth observation services, API-based data ecosystems, and AI-powered image analysis are already transforming environmental monitoring and infrastructure management. In contrast, predictive GeoAI, fully operational digital twins at the city level, and seamlessly integrated European data spaces across various sectors offer enormous potential but continue to face challenges in the areas of governance, interoperability, organizational maturity, and explainability.
Throughout the session, one key message became clear: Technology alone will not determine Europe’s geospatial future. Progress will depend equally on governance, collaboration, institutional capacity, and public trust. As geoinformation plays an increasingly important role in environmental policy, climate adaptation, and digital transformation, Europe has the opportunity to build an ecosystem that combines innovation with transparency, interoperability with resilience, and openness with strategic sovereignty.
The EUROGI Roundtable demonstrated that the European geoinformation community is evolving from data-oriented management toward the intelligent, decision-supporting use of geoinformation. For Switzerland, this development presents an important opportunity to actively contribute its strengths in the areas of geodata management, federal cooperation, and practice-oriented innovation to the European discussion. The discussions in Benidorm made it clear that future challenges cannot be solved in isolation at the national level. If Europe and Switzerland succeed in combining technological innovation with investments in people, common standards, and trustworthy public institutions, the coming decade could mark significant progress in how geoinformation supports sustainable development, evidence-based policymaking, and resilient public services.
