Chongqing - "We can think of data visualization as a language bridging the gap between humans and data," suggested Yuan Xiaoru, Director of the Technical Committee on Visualization and Visual Analytics of the China Society of Image and Graphics, at the 10th China Visualization and Visual Analytics Conference (ChinaVis 2023) in Chongqing on July 22.
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The 10th China Visualization and Visual Analytics Conference (ChinaVis 2023) was held in Chongqing on July 22. (Photo/Wang Chengwei)
Data visualization, harnessing the power of computer graphics and image processing, transforms raw data into graphic or image representations. Displayed on screens, these visualizations enable more intuitive, interactive information processing.
The conference attracted nearly a thousand representatives from over 140 universities, research institutes, and companies nationwide. Accompanied by renowned experts and scholars from around the globe, they gathered to explore the cutting-edge technologies and future prospects of data visualization and visual analytics.
Translating complex data into accessible visuals
Yuan underscored how the evolution of data visualization intertwines with advancements in computing and big data. Data visualization is now a core technological advantage in the information age for countries worldwide.
Everyday examples like weather forecasts, map navigation, and subway route maps showcase the practical applications of data visualization. Yuan further predicted future developments like "immersive" visualization systems and wearable visualization devices. These advances could dramatically improve everyday life, envisioning a future where visualization instantly reveals hotel room or parking space availability.
Chongqing: a model city for transport visualization
Data visualization effectively translates vast and complex data into intuitive and easily understood graphics, providing timely and accurate references for decision-making.
"Chongqing provides an ideal setting for the application of visualization technologies, especially within its transportation sector," commented Qin Hongxing, Chair of the ChinaVis 2023 and professor at the College of Computer Science at Chongqing University. He emphasized that Chongqing's transportation sector is ripe for exploiting the potential of visualization.
Qin's research team is presently developing a traffic simulation visualization system. Once complete, this system will visually detail pedestrian and vehicular flow in specific areas, offering invaluable insights for optimizing urban transportation.
Furthermore, visualization is crucial in propelling industries like Chongqing's automobile manufacturing and steel production processes.
Big data revolutionize the news industry
Wang Qiong, an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Wuhan University, noted the transformative effect of big data technology on news reporting. As data gradually become the backbone of news, it shifts the narrative from traditional text-centric methods.
In the future, data journalism, a new form of news reporting based on data gathering, mining, analysis, and visualization, will infiltrate the news coverage of various industries. Consequently, the formats of data journalism will diversify, equipping the public with deeper insights into policies and societal issues through data-driven news reporting.