New Delhi: May 15, 2026
A landmark conference on “GeoAI – Transforming Spatial Intelligence for Sustainable Development, Smart Governance, and Military Applications” was successfully organized at the Management Education and Research Institute (MERI), Delhi Campus, in association with SIA-India and the MERI Department of Space Studies. The conference brought together distinguished leaders from the space industry, academia, and the military to discuss the growing integration of Artificial Intelligence with Geospatial technologies and its impact on the future of the global geospatial ecosystem.
Professor (Dr.) Lalit Aggarwal, Vice President of MERI Group of Institutions, delivered the introductory address and highlighted the importance of Transgovernance, Academic Know-how, and New Space guidelines in shaping the future of the sector. He also emphasized the need for Industry-Specific Training to equip the next generation of professionals with expertise in space technology and Artificial Intelligence.
Shri A. S. Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman of ISRO, delivered the keynote address and spoke about the emerging frontier of Quantum Technology in GeoAI. He explained how advanced technologies can transform data processing capabilities and significantly strengthen spatial intelligence systems in the coming years.
Lt Gen P. J. S. Pannu (Retd.), shared insights on Satellite Planning and PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing), underlining their strategic importance in modern defense operations and national security planning.
AVM D. S. Joshi, addressed the critical field of Electronic Warfare and discussed the increasing role of spatial awareness and geospatial technologies in electronic combat environments.
Prof. Soundar Rajan discussed GIS Supply Chain and Cyber Security, stressing the importance of secure and resilient digital infrastructure in the rapidly evolving GeoAI ecosystem.
Dr. Aniruddha Roy presented on GeoAI-driven technology and Digital Twins for Indian cities, advancing from 3D mapping to real-time decision intelligence.
Shri Advait Kulkarni spoke on the transition “From Data Chaos to Decision Systems,” outlining practical approaches for efficient data management and intelligent decision-making. Complementing this, Col. S. Mohan, spoke on Data Acquisition and Curation, emphasizing their importance as the foundation of reliable and effective AI models.
The conference concluded with a high-level round table discussion moderated by Lt Gen P. J. S. Pannu (Retd.), reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening global cooperation in the field of spatial intelligence and emerging geospatial technologies.
Air Commodore Himanshu Gopal, delivered the Vote of Thanks and expressed gratitude to all delegates, speakers, and organizers for contributing to the success of the conference.
