In May 2023, Planet Labs PBC, a leading provider of daily Earth data and insights, announced strategic partnerships with artificial intelligence (AI) analytics providers at the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation’s 2023 GEOINT Symposium. These collaborations aim to enhance the analysis of Planet's high-frequency, medium- and high-resolution satellite imagery through advanced AI-powered object detection and classification services. The integration of automated analytics is designed to help customers better understand changes on Earth and make critical decisions more swiftly. ([geospatialworld.net](
Partnership with Synthetaic: Rapid Automatic Image Categorization (RAIC)
In April 2023, Wisconsin-based AI startup Synthetaic joined Planet's Orbit partnership program. Synthetaic's flagship product, Rapid Automatic Image Categorization (RAIC), automates the analysis of large, unstructured datasets like geospatial imagery. This technology enables even non-technical users to detect objects within minutes and train and deploy AI models more rapidly than traditional methods, all without the need for labeled data. ([geospatialworld.net](
Through this partnership, customers can now access Synthetaic's RAIC object detection analytics applied to specific areas of interest within Planet's data. The companies also plan to develop a combined offering that aims to provide additional alerting capabilities when changes occur or specific objects are detected within focus areas. ([geospatialworld.net](
Synthetaic has previously utilized Planet's daily scan and archive data to identify and trace the flight path of a significant Chinese balloon that garnered national attention when it traversed North America in February 2023. Additionally, they employed Planet data for disaster response and aid distribution modeling following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria in February 2023. ([geospatialworld.net](
Partnership with SI Analytics: Image Enhancement and GeoAI Analytics
Planet also announced a new partnership with Daejeon, South Korea-based startup SI Analytics, which applies AI-powered Super Resolution and GeoAI Analytics, including object detection and segmentation algorithms, to satellite imagery. This collaboration aims to enhance the resolution of satellite images to analyze changes and abnormalities within specific areas of interest using SI Analytics' GeoAI Pack. ([geospatialworld.net](
SI Analytics intends to use Planet and other satellite operator data in its private sector abnormality detection initiative program. At the GEOINT Symposium, SI Analytics announced its initiative to develop a North Korea Dynamic Ballistic Missile Operation Area (BMOA) Search Project, with the goal of enhancing global risk management and mitigating tensions in Asia and beyond. Leveraging satellites' high-revisit capabilities, they plan to enable the monitoring of global risks in near real-time, detecting and disclosing abnormalities using their GeoAI Pack. ([geospatialworld.net](
Planet's AI and Machine Learning Initiatives
Planet's President of Product and Business, Kevin Weil, emphasized the importance of proprietary data in the AI landscape, stating, "We believe proprietary data is where the real value is in the AI race." He highlighted that Planet possesses 50 petabytes of satellite data, which can be utilized to train both their own and partners' AI and machine learning models. These models can be applied to various use cases, including building damage assessment, vessel detection, and the preventative mitigation of deforestation. ([geospatialworld.net](
In collaboration with Microsoft AI for Good Lab, Planet deployed an AI-based building damage assessment solution to assist in the response efforts of the United Nations in Ukraine, as well as the Turkish government following a recent earthquake. Additionally, partners like Royce Geo have leveraged Planet imagery, combined with their computer vision models, to uncover critical insights into how tanker traffic volumes from Russia are changing and where unsanctioned Russian oil is being exported and imported globally. ([geospatialworld.net](
Demonstrations at GEOINT 2023
Planet showcased these AI solutions at Booth #1201 during the GEOINT Symposium held from May 21-24, 2023. Demonstrations included object detection capabilities such as the identification of airstrips and launchpads in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the previous collaboration to identify and track the Chinese balloon. These demonstrations were also available at Synthetaic's Booth #1810 throughout the Symposium dates. ([geospatialworld.net](
Conclusion
The partnerships announced by Planet at the GEOINT 2023 Symposium signify a strategic move to integrate advanced AI analytics with satellite imagery, enhancing the ability to monitor and respond to global events in near real-time. By collaborating with innovative AI companies like Synthetaic and SI Analytics, Planet aims to provide more accurate, timely, and actionable insights to its customers, thereby improving decision-making processes across various sectors.