The U.S. Department of Defense, through its emerging technology arm, Defense Innovation Unit, known as DIU, is conducting an artificial intelligence challenge to lighten the load of analysts pouring through satellite and aerial imagery to conduct damage assessments after natural disasters.

The new competition, known as the DIU xView2 Challenge, is the organization’s second prize challenge focusing on advancing computer vision for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, DIU reported. It follows the xView1 Challenge, held earlier this year to advance machine learning capabilities that could identify objects on the ground useful to first responders.

DIU's goal in hosting this challenge is to enlist the global community of machine learning experts to tackle a critical problem: detecting key objects in overhead imagery in context and assessing damage in a disaster situation," said Mike Kaul, DIU AI portfolio director.

"We are always looking for ways to improve rapid damage assessment to ensure we and our partners deliver the right resources to the right places at the right time, and we are confident the DIU Challenge can contribute to that goal," said FEMA Regional Administrator Robert Fenton, a partner in the challenge.

The xView2 Challenge features three prize tracks, including: open source; nonexclusive government purpose rights; and evaluation only.

Interested parties or companies that have solutions to automate post-disaster damage assessments are encouraged to compete. The best solutions in all three categories will be eligible for a share of the $150,000 prize allotment.

For more information, visit https://xview2.org