--- title: "GeoAI: Earth observation & GeoAI | Nexus Observatory" description: "GeoAI, inside Earth observation & GeoAI: semantic segmentation and land cover, change detection, object detection and counting…" url: https://observatory.global/earth-observation/geoai/ publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc. updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/) / [Earth observation & GeoAI](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/) / **GeoAI** # Models trained and checked against field truth. GeoAI, inside Earth observation & GeoAI: semantic segmentation and land cover, change detection, object detection and counting, training data and labels and more. Every item is traced to its specification, from ISO 19144-2 (Land Cover Meta Language) to OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1, and runs on the open Observatory Protocol. [Plan with us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Architecture [The protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/specification/) **Technologies**: 9 **At the frontier**: 2 **Protocol functions**: 3 of 8 **Industries served**: 16 Real elevation · Bow Valley, Alberta · from the Earth explainers **01** What it is ## GeoAI. The reference frames, formats, services, analysis methods, machine learning and 3D models that turn observations into located, queryable and decision-ready geographic information. Each technology below carries what it is, what we do with it, and the standard it is drawn against. GIS, maps and GeoAI ### Semantic segmentation and land cover Pixel-level classes such as water, built-up, crops and burn scars from imagery. We design, integrate and operate. ISO 19144-2 (Land Cover Meta Language) · OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1 GIS, maps and GeoAI ### Change detection Finding what changed between dates, from new structures to landslides and flood extent. We design, integrate and operate. CEOS ARD (consistent inputs) · ISO 19157-1 GIS, maps and GeoAI ### Object detection and counting Locating assets, vehicles, vessels and damage in imagery and video. We design, integrate and operate. STAC Label extension · OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1 GIS, maps and GeoAI ### Training data and labels Curated, versioned, licensed training sets with provenance and class definitions. We design and operate. OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1 · STAC Label extension GIS, maps and GeoAI ### Model metadata and model cards Recording inputs, bands, resolution, training data and limits with every model. We design and operate. STAC Machine Learning Model (MLM) extension GIS, maps and GeoAI ### Accuracy assessment Sampling design and area-adjusted accuracy so map errors are reported honestly. We design and operate. ISO 19157-1:2023 · Olofsson et al. (2014) good practices for accuracy assessment GIS, maps and GeoAI ### Edge inference on imagery Running models beside cameras and drones so alerts arrive without moving raw video. We design, integrate, deploy and operate. OGC API - Processes **Frontier** · GIS, maps and GeoAI ### Geospatial foundation models Large pretrained models for imagery and maps fine-tuned with few labels. We design and integrate. OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1 **Frontier** · GIS, maps and GeoAI ### Super-resolution and multi-sensor fusion Learning to combine sensors and resolutions into sharper or gap-free products, with uncertainty flagged. We integrate. ISO 19157-1:2023 **02** Architecture ## Where it sits, and what it speaks. GeoAI draws on 2 domains and 16 layers of the spectrum; the highlighted layers carry this area. It speaks 3 of the protocol's 8 core functions. Platforms and orbits 8 Optical, spectral and thermal sensors 8 Radar, lidar and microwave sensors 10 Processing levels and analysis-ready data 9 Calibration and validation 8 Tasking, ground segment and access 9 Data cubes, analysis and archives 7 Frontier and research 8 Reference systems and geodesy 7 Vector, raster and array formats 10 Tiling, maps and visual services 7 APIs, catalogues and discrete global grids 8 Spatial analysis and siting 10 GeoAI 10 3D, BIM and digital twins 8 Metadata, quality and publication 5 01**Join** Identity, attestation quote, signed policy. 02**Admit** Admitted for a stated scope, nothing wider. 03**Describe** What, where, how and by whom, with calibration. 04**Time** One clock across the grid, with its error bound. 05**Observe** Every value with quality and provenance. 06**Qualify** Tested against the specification, state on record. 07**Federate** Signed exchange across grids and trust domains. 08**Orchestrate** Software and configuration by signed plan. **03** On the grid ## The ground, measured before it is modelled. Real elevation, line of sight, an orbit swath and a GeoAI pass, each an interactive explainer on open terrain data with its source shown. [Satellite passOne orbit, one swath, line by line.](https://observatory.global/earth/#pass) [GeoAIA detection method on real slopes, simulated outputs.](https://observatory.global/earth/#geoai) [ReliefTerrarium-encoded DEM, contours by marching squares.](https://observatory.global/earth/#elevation) [Layer stackEvery layer registered to one grid.](https://observatory.global/earth/#layers) **04** In the field ## Where this runs, sector by sector. 5 deployment scenarios from the sector research that rely on geoai. [Government and public safety Deployable communications and sensing for incident commandA cell on wheels with satellite backhaul, mesh telemetry and environment nodes at the incident base.](https://observatory.global/sectors/public-safety/) [Development and humanitarian School connectivity with a school observatorySatellite or fixed wireless, school Wi-Fi, an open connectivity probe and an optional station.](https://observatory.global/sectors/humanitarian/) [Development and humanitarian Displacement-site connectivity and sensingPoint-to-multipoint wireless, satellite backhaul, solar and water-point sensors with protection safeguards.](https://observatory.global/sectors/humanitarian/) [Scientific Ocean and coastal low-cost buoy arraysSatellite-backhauled wave buoys accepted in a national programme trial.](https://observatory.global/sectors/scientific/) [Transport Highway corridor mobile coverage for safetySmall cells and satellite backhaul along unserved roads.](https://observatory.global/sectors/transport/) **05** Open and enterprise ## Open by default. Enterprise by contract. The open counterpart lives on the main site for anyone to read and run. The enterprise service is designed, deployed and operated with you, under contract. Open, on the main site - Observatories atlas - World grid - Map sources with licences Enterprise, on this site - Capture campaigns - Site twins **06** The rest of the line ## Earth observation & GeoAI, area by area. [Earth observation & GeoAI Ground segmentDownlink and process at the edge.](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/ground-segment/) [Earth observation & GeoAI Drones and imageryCampaigns planned to the ground sample distance.](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/drones-and-imagery/) [Earth observation & GeoAI Site twinsThe site, measured in 3D, to scale.](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/site-twins/) ## Bring us the site. Survey, design, deployment and operation for geoai. The form names who receives your details. [Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) [contact@observatory.global](mailto:contact@observatory.global?subject=Earth%20observation%20%26%20GeoAI%3A%20GeoAI) [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)**Earth observation & GeoAI** . The ground, measured and modelled.[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Earth observation & GeoAI - [Ground segment](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/ground-segment/) - [Drones and imagery](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/drones-and-imagery/) - [Site twins](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/site-twins/) - [GeoAI](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/geoai/) Technologies - [Platforms and orbits](https://observatory.global/technologies/eo/platforms-and-orbits/) - [Optical, spectral and thermal sensors](https://observatory.global/technologies/eo/optical-spectral-and-thermal-sensors/) - [Reference systems and geodesy](https://observatory.global/technologies/gis/reference-systems-and-geodesy/) - [Vector, raster and array formats](https://observatory.global/technologies/gis/vector-raster-and-array-formats/) Industries - [Cities](https://observatory.global/industries/cities/) - [Civil resilience](https://observatory.global/industries/resilience/) - [Humanitarian](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/) - [Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/) - [Water](https://observatory.global/industries/water/) - [Nature](https://observatory.global/industries/nature/) - [Oceans](https://observatory.global/industries/oceans/) Service platforms - [Observatory Protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/) - [Protocol & Grid](https://observatory.global/grid-services/) - [Software](https://observatory.global/software/) - [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/) - [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/) - [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/) - [Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/) © 2026 Nexus Observatory Inc. [Privacy](https://observatory.global/legal/privacy/) [Terms](https://observatory.global/legal/terms/) [Accessibility](https://observatory.global/legal/accessibility/) [Cookie settings](https://observatory.global/privacy-choices/) [Data credits](https://observatory.global/credits/)