Abdoulaye Diack

Category: Research

  • AlphaEarth Foundations: Where AI Meets Earth Observation for Unmatched Detail

    🤯 This incredible image showcases the stunning beauty and diversity of the African continent, generated using the new AlphaEarth Foundations dataset on Google Earth Engine. So what is this dataset all about? 

    Imagine being able to X-ray the entire Earth across multiple years, even seeing through clouds! Dealing with clouds in remote sensing is a huge challenge (something I know well from my Open Buildings research project). The AlphaEarth team has essentially created a “virtual satellite” capable of doing just that. To achieve this, the AlphaEarth team combined vast amounts of data from dozens of public sources, including optical satellite images, radar, 3D laser mapping, etc.. weaving it all into a seamless picture.

    Even after just a few minutes of exploring the dataset, I’ve stumbled upon fascinating insights. For example, why have Central Mali or Lake Kalala in Zambia changed so much? There’s likely a clear explanation, though I don’t know it yet.

    This open dataset release is a huge step forward, likely to help scientists and experts make more informed decisions on critical global issues like food security, deforestation, urban expansion, and water resources.

    If you think you can leverage this dataset for your research on our changing world, consider applying for the Satellite Embedding Grant. (Link below)

    Paper: https://storage.googleapis.com/deepmind-media/DeepMind.com/Blog/alphaearth-foundations-helps-map-our-planet-in-unprecedented-detail/alphaearth-foundations.pdf

    Google Deepmind Blog: https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/alphaearth-foundations-helps-map-our-planet-in-unprecedented-detail/

    Google Earth blog: https://medium.com/google-earth/ai-powered-pixels-introducing-googles-satellite-embedding-dataset-31744c1f4650

    Demo: https://code.earthengine.google.com/?scriptPath=Examples%3ADatasets%2FGOOGLE%2FGOOGLE_SATELLITE_EMBEDDING_V1_ANNUAL

    Dataset: https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/datasets/catalog/GOOGLE_SATELLITE_EMBEDDING_V1_ANNUAL

    Grant application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxnmqM2PEKdphTWXh44jsy83SRBkn0grjg6shRS-mLJTsKrQ/viewform

    Google Earth Engine screenshot showing world embeddings of 2024.
    Screenshot of Google Earth Engine showing similarities between years. (white spots are where most changes happened.
    Changes in central Mali
    Changes at Lake Kalala, Zambia

  • First Images from ESA Biomass Satellite

    Absolutely stunning images of Gabon and Tchad from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Biomass satellite.

    The first image shows the Ivindo River in Gabon, stretching from the DRC border all the way to Makoukou in the Ogooué-Ivindo province. This region is known for its dense forests. Typically, when we look at forests from above, all we see are the treetops. However, Biomass uses a special kind of radar, called P-band radar, which has the ability to penetrate through the forest canopy to reveal the terrain below. This means it can measure all the woody material—the trunks, branches, and stems—offering a much more complete picture than ever before.

    The second image features the Tibesti Mountains in northern Chad, and it looks like something straight out of space. Here, the radar demonstrates its ability to see up to five meters beneath dry sand. This opens up fascinating possibilities for mapping and studying hidden features in deserts, such as ancient riverbeds and lakes that have long been buried. Such insights are incredibly valuable for understanding Earth’s past climates and even for locating vital water sources in arid regions.

    It’s an exciting time as our ability to collect information about Earth continues to advance, especially with progress in remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The rise of geospatial AI, in particular, is opening up fascinating new avenues for understanding our planet and opening new fields of research.

    If you’re a student considering a career in understanding Earth through technology, leveraging AI. In my opinion, this field presents some interesting opportunities. You can explore more about the amazing Biomass mission on the official ESA website:

    https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Biomass/Biomass_satellite_returns_striking_first_images_of_forests_and_more

    Image credit: ESA