Next-Gen Web Mapping with AI and Emerging Technologies

Cloud-native data formats, graphics hardware in the browser, and artificial intelligence are changing how maps are built and used on the web. This hands-on guide shows how these developments fit together in working applications. The book gives an overview on how web mapping reached its current form and introduces the major rendering frameworks, cloud-native formats, and open standards. It discusses modern techniques such as real-time data, 3D mapping and digital twins. The AI-powered mapping is focused on models, computer vision for satellite and aerial imagery, natural language interfaces, and AI-assisted cartographic design. Privacy, fairness, and regulations are also discussed in the book. Most chapters are built around real places and real data, and every example comes with runnable code.

Features

• Guides web developers, GIS professionals, and data scientists through building modern web maps that combine cloud-native data, live feeds, and artificial intelligence.
• Covers vector tiles and GPU rendering, PMTiles, GeoParquet and DuckDB, STAC and Overture Maps, real-time streaming, 3D Tiles and digital twins, and serverless deployment at the edge.
• Explains geospatial foundation models, computer vision for imagery, natural language and agent-based GIS, and AI-assisted map design, with attention to validation and to their limits.
• Includes 64 worked examples and 12 hands-on capstone exercises with complete companion code; most run without an account or a paid service.
• Discusses location privacy, geographic bias, regulation, and the responsible use of AI in mapping.

This book is written for web developers, GIS professionals, researchers, and data scientists who build or study web maps. It also suits graduate and advanced undergraduate students in GIS, cartography, and geospatial data science courses.