Developing a workflow for AI-based image interpretation of forest inventory plots

Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center 

Large Language Models (LLMs) show great promise for increasing the efficiency of repetitive processes implemented by organizations.  In collaboration with the USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis program (FIA), we attempted to create a LLM-based tool for a common forest inventory task: image interpretation.  This exploratory project provided FIA with a concrete example of how to incorporate LLMs into their work but also raised a host of questions around quality assurance and uncertainty quantification.  In my talk, I will go through our process, show how to use the ELLMER package in R for leveraging LLMs, and discuss the lessons learned about the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing LLMs for image interpretation.

large language models

ELLMER

forest inventory