Facebook Used AI for Road Mapping

Facebook, in collaboration with the OpenStreetMap community, has developed a tool that uses artificial intelligence to quickly create maps. AI managed to map the roads in Thailand twice as fast as a team of 100 experts.

AI is an expert in map making.

BBC News reports that Facebook used advanced artificial intelligence to create road maps in Thailand. The project was completed in just 18 months. For comparison, 100 human experts would have to spend three years to achieve a comparable result. The tool used for this purpose - Map With AI - was developed in collaboration with the OpenStreetMap community and was made available for public use.

"This is definitely going to be a key part of the future of OSM. We can never map the world, and keep it mapped, without assistance from machines. The trick is to find the sweet spot (balance between human and computer input - editorial note)," said Martijn van Exel, an OSM member for many years.

The program also includes maps of other regions of the world generated by artificial intelligence, such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. Over time, the company plans to expand the catalogue with new items. Maps prepared by the computer can be used in case of crisis situations (e.g. floods or earthquakes).

Map With AI is a good example of how artificial intelligence can positively affect people's lives. It remains to be hoped that there will be more such projects.