The Canadian Geospatial Foundation Model is an advanced artificial intelligence system developed by Natural Resources Canada that processes large-scale geospatial satellite imagery and related data to create a unified, comprehensive framework for geospatial AI applications across Canada. This system is currently in production and is primarily used by Government of Canada employees.
The foundation model learns to describe and understand diverse geospatial data including satellite imagery from open sources like Sentinel and Landsat, as well as licensed high-resolution imagery. It processes multiple types of information including elevation models, geographic coordinates, time data, spectral information from sensors, and descriptive text to build a comprehensive representation of Canadian geospatial patterns.
This system does not involve the collection or processing of personal information about individuals. The model's purpose is to increase the efficiency, operationalization, and scalability of geospatial AI solutions across government and research organizations in Canada.
