Frequently asked questions¶

So what is fAIr, really?¶

A marketplace and connector. It lets mappers find geo-AI models and use or adapt them in their own area. A mapper stays in control at each step.

Is it AI on its own?¶

No. fAIr brings existing geo-AI models to mappers. You pick a model, run it, adapt it, and validate the results.

Do I need high-resolution imagery? Will Sentinel work?¶

fAIr works with RGB high-resolution imagery (CC BY 4.0), ideally hosted on OpenAerialMap or a public TMS server. Support for street-level imagery is being explored.

How do I validate the output? I do not trust AI.¶

You get the predictions as GeoJSON, and you choose how to check them. You can confirm features in MapSwipe, verify them on the ground with the Field Mapping Tasking Manager, or trace and fix them by hand in the editor.

Do I have to be advanced to start?¶

No. Begin as a mapper using a model someone already made. When you want it tuned to your area, you can grow into adapting and publishing your own.

Can I add my own model?¶

Yes. Developers write model code and publish it to fAIr, where it becomes available to every kind of user. See Register a base model.

Where does the finished data go?¶

It is your choice. You can bring it into OpenStreetMap, publish it to open platforms like the Humanitarian Data Exchange, or download the outputs as points, lines, or polygons.

Is merging with OpenStreetMap automatic?¶

No. Merging is a manual step: the mapper decides what to add to OpenStreetMap, and a MapSwipe project to assist with this is in progress. See How it works.