In the last few months, we’ve enhanced many Spatial Analytics and Data Science capabilities across ArcGIS. New capabilities include no-code automation of analysis with ModelBuilder – now in general availability in ArcGIS Online, advanced tools for prediction using spatial statistics and GeoAI, the new Space Time Cube ribbon in ArcGIS Pro, and much more.

As we head into the 2025 User Conference, let’s dive into the top 10 of the new and exciting analysis capabilities across ArcGIS from the past quarter!

1. Automation: ModelBuilder in general availability
2. Predictive analytics: New Estimate Time to Event tool
3. Network analytics: New Waste Collection Solver
4. Spatiotemporal analytics: Space Time Cube visualization
5. 3D analytics: Analysis tools now available in Scene Viewer
6. GeoAI: New Process Text Using AI Model tool
7. Raster analytics: Assign Weights by Pairwise Comparison tool
8. Scripting: GDAL now supported in the Python API’s Spatially enabled DataFrame
9. Scripting: Visual Studio Code integration in ArcGIS Pro, for debugging script tools
10. Graph analytics: ArcGIS Knowledge Studio graph Find Path analysis

1. Automation: ModelBuilder in general availability

ModelBuilder has officially moved from beta to general availability in ArcGIS Online! You can now effortlessly design, execute, and share complex analysis workflows without writing code.

This release includes the new Filter by Attributes tool, empowering you to query data and concentrate on relevant features within your analysis workflows. For example, wildlife management officials concerned about potential conflicts between cougars and humans may develop a model to identify suitable cougar habitat. This model could use criteria such as vegetation type, slope, and proximity to roads. With Filter by Attributes, they can refine the vegetation layer to include only the vegetation types suitable for cougar habitat, streamlining the process and improving accuracy. Furthermore, ModelBuilder now allows you to view parameter values while in view-only mode, simplifying the inspection of models without requiring you to connect to an analysis session.

Learn more about ModelBuilder in ArcGIS Online in our latest blog.

2. Predictive analytics: New Estimate Time to Event tool

The new Estimate Time to Event tool offers a targeted method for predicting the timing of specific events. The algorithm helps you leverage age, other explanatory variables, and event indicator attributes to generate accurate predictions. Additionally, it identifies which factors contribute to an increase or decrease in the time leading up to the event. Practical applications of this tool include forecasting when infrastructure such as bridges and roads will require maintenance, based on their age and other relevant characteristics.

Read more in the ArcGIS Pro documentation.

3. Network analytics: New Waste Collection Solver

In the latest ArcGIS Pro release, the set of Vehicle Routing Problems supported by ArcGIS Network Analyst is enhanced with a new Waste Collection solver.  This solver enables you to generate operational routes for residential waste collection by dividing an area into logical routes, and considering interaction between landfills, treatment plants, and transfer stations.  These capabilities provide immense benefit for local municipalities who perform waste collection management, as well as the trucking and distribution organizations that support them.

Learn more in the ArcGIS Network Analyst blog.

4. Spatiotemporal analytics: Space Time Cube visualization

Powerful new exploratory analysis capabilities are introduced with the Space Time Cube contextual ribbon tab in ArcGIS Pro, giving you improved and dynamic ways to interact with spatiotemporal data such as rainfall measurements, temperature, population, incidents and other events, and much more.  The ribbon helps you work more fluidly with a space-time cube layer, such as quickly visualizing different variables and analysis results, exploring the contents of the temporal layer and its charts, as well as modifying which bins are visualized based on different criteria.  The Configure Extent control on the Space Time Cube ribbon allows you to set the spatial and temporal extent that is visualized in the scene.

Read more about what’s new in ArcGIS Pro 3.5.

5. 3D analytics: Analysis tools now available in Scene Viewer

Scene Viewer now provides access to nearly 40 ready-to-use spatial analysis tools that previously were primarily available in Map Viewer. With these tools, you can now benefit from the same abilities to transform and analyze data while working in web-based 3D scenes, helping you gain a deeper understanding of spatial relationships.

Learn more in the Analysis Tools in the Scene Viewer release blog.

6. GeoAI: New Process Text Using AI Model tool

Process Text Using AI Model, a new tool in the Pro GeoAI toolbox, allows you to leverage deep learning or custom third-party models to perform text analysis tasks such as text generation, text summarization and more.  Overall, the tool lets you take advantage of the capabilities of the third-party language model you’re using, expanding the scope of text analysis workflows you can accomplish in ArcGIS.

Read more about new text processing capabilities in the Text Analysis toolset.

7. Raster analytics: Assign Weights by Pairwise Comparison tool

The new Assign Weights by Pairwise Comparison tool in ArcGIS Pro further enhances Suitability Modeler workflows by streamlining the challenging task of assigning weights to input criteria. Using a structured pairwise comparison approach, it enables you to calculate weights for multiple input variables and apply them directly within the model. This method is not only more intuitive and user-friendly, but also more objective – resulting in well-supported, defensible weights.

Learn more about what’s new in the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst blog.

8. Scripting: GDAL now supported in the Python API’s Spatially enabled DataFrame

GDAL is now added into the reading and writing functions of the Spatially enabled DataFrame (SeDF) in the ArcGIS API for Python. This change enables you to use the SeDF to read from and write to file geodatabases when working in Mac or Linux environments. As a result, you now have a more consistent data input/output experience when using the Python API across different operating systems.

Learn more about GDAL in the latest ArcGIS API for Python blog.

9. Scripting: Visual Studio Code integration in ArcGIS Pro, for debugging script tools

This Visual Studio Code extension enables developers to debug ArcGIS Pro script tools and Python toolboxes directly within Visual Studio Code, a popular IDE for developing and debugging Python GP tools.

Read more about what’s new in Python in ArcGIS Pro 3.5.

10. Graph analytics: ArcGIS Knowledge Studio graph Find Path analysis

In the latest release, ArcGIS Knowledge has a variety of improvements for analysis workflows on the web. In Knowledge Studio, Link Charts now include a Find Path button to identify the shortest path between selected entities. This enhances feature parity with ArcGIS desktop link analysis tools and speeds up analysis of complex connections.

Learn more in the ArcGIS Knowledge What’s New blog.

Your Guide to Upcoming Events

In addition to these latest innovations in Spatial Analytics and Data Science across ArcGIS, we invite you to discover many other exciting advancements at the Esri User Conference in a few weeks.

First, you won’t want to miss the UC Spatial Analytics Summit! Here you’ll hear about the kinds of problems you can solve using geospatial data, along with the latest advancements in data engineering, predictive analytics and AI, automation and scripting, and much more. Register for the Spatial Analytics Summit here.

During the Summit, we will also host a live panel with practitioners and analytics leaders from a variety of industry sectors. We’d like to hear from you! You can use this form to submit pressing topics and questions that you’d like to see included in the panel discussion.

Also, be sure to check out the myriad of technical sessions on Spatial Analysis and Data Science at the User Conference! Dive deep into cutting-edge techniques and real-world applications that will improve your skills. Explore the agenda and start planning your conference experience now!