Radiology Informatics and the Digital Ecosystem: PACS, AI Integration, and the Future of Imaging Data Management

The digital transformation of radiology through picture archiving and communication systems, structured reporting, cloud-based platforms, and AI-embedded workflows has fundamentally reshaped how imaging data are acquired, managed, interpreted, and shared. This chapter reviews the informatics infrastructure underpinning modern radiology departments, examines interoperability standards, data governance, and cybersecurity challenges, and evaluates the trajectory of emerging technologies—including federated learning, natural language processing, and next-generation AI platforms—in reshaping radiological practice.