QGIS Object Detection Course

Artificial Intelligence

In this course, you’ll learn how to apply object detection in QGIS using modern AI and deep learning techniques. You’ll work with the latest QGIS plugins to automatically detect objects such as buildings, infrastructure, or vegetation in satellite and aerial imagery. The focus is on preparing data, running detection models, and interpreting the results. Upon completion, you’ll be able to effectively use object detection for analysis, monitoring, and reporting in research and policy.

Course duration: 2 days
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Introduction to Object Detection with QGIS

Would you like to learn how to automatically recognize and analyze objects in spatial data? In the QGIS Object Detection course, you’ll learn how to use QGIS to detect objects in satellite imagery and aerial photos using modern AI and deep learning techniquesβ€”without having to write any code yourself. You’ll discover how object detection is used for analysis, monitoring, and supporting policy and research.

QGIS is a powerful open-source GIS platform for analyzing and visualizing geographic data. In this course, you’ll build on your basic QGIS knowledge and learn to work with current object detection workflows and plugins. You’ll analyze raster data such as orthophotos and satellite imagery and convert detection results into usable vector layers for further GIS analysis.

Object detection in QGIS goes beyond manual digitization. You’ll learn how AI models automatically recognize objects such as buildings, infrastructure, trees, or other spatial features. You’ll also learn how to prepare data, evaluate results, identify errors, and interpret uncertainties to ensure that the outcomes are reliable and reproducible.

In the QGIS Object Detection course, you’ll learn how to apply object detection results in practical workflowsβ€”for example, for monitoring, inventories, reporting, or policy analysis. The course demonstrates how to use open-source tools to integrate advanced object detection into your existing GIS environment.

Please note! Knowledge of QGIS is required for this course. If you do not have this knowledge, we recommend that you take the QGIS Basic Course first.

What will you learn in the QGIS Object Detection course?

In this course, you’ll learn step by step how object detection works within QGIS. You’ll start with the basics: what object detection is, what types exist, and how AI-based detection differs from traditional GIS analysis.

Next, you’ll get hands-on experience with:

  • Object detection on raster data such as satellite imagery and aerial photos
  • Working with AI and deep learning plugins within QGIS
  • Preparing input data and interpreting detection results
  • Converting detections to vector layers
  • Visualizing, verifying, and applying object detection results

You’ll learn not only how to detect objects, but also how to use the results responsibly in analysis and decision-making.

Why Choose the QGIS Object Detection Course?

This course is unique because it approaches object detection entirely from a practical GIS perspective. No abstract AI theoryβ€”just immediately applicable workflows within QGIS. You’ll learn how to use object detection in a reproducible and verifiable way with open-source tools.

Among other things, you’ll learn:

  • Which object detection methods are suitable for different applications
  • How to effectively combine AI plugins and QGIS tools
  • How to validate and interpret detection results
  • How to use object detection for monitoring, policy, and research

The course is hands-on, open-source, and focused on real-world GIS applications.

Who is this course intended for?

This course is intended for GIS users who want to automatically recognize and analyze objects in spatial data. Do you work in land use planning, the environment, ecology, infrastructure, agriculture, research, cartography, or policy? Then this course offers immediate value.

You’ll need a basic knowledge of QGIS, but no experience with AI, deep learning, or programming. Do you want to stop manually digitizing objects and instead detect them in a smart and reproducible way? Then QGIS Object Detection is the logical next step.

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Enroll

€1095,-
  • Workload: 2 Course days from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Location: Apeldoorn or Online. On-site is also possible. Please get in touch for a quotation.
  • Date: Multiple start dates are available; please see the registration page.
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QGIS Object Detection Schedule

Day 1 – Introduction to Object Detection and Working with AI Plugins in QGIS

On the first day, you’ll be introduced to object detection in QGIS and the role of AI and deep learning in spatial analysis. You’ll learn what object detection is, what types of detection exist (object detection vs. segmentation), and for which applications these techniques are suitable.

You’ll gain hands-on experience with the most commonly used QGIS plugins for object detection, including Deepness and GeoAI. You’ll also learn how to prepare raster data such as satellite images and orthophotos, load AI models, and perform object detection without programming. The emphasis is on understanding the workflow, correctly interpreting detection results, and recognizing errors and uncertainties.

Topics for Day 1:

  • Basic Principles of Object Detection in GIS
  • Overview of AI and deep learning applications in QGIS
  • Working with Deepness (object detection and segmentation on raster data)
  • Introduction to the GeoAI plugin and AI-based detection workflows
  • Interpreting and visualizing detection results

Day 2 – In-Depth Study, Validation, and Application of Object Detection

On the second day, you’ll delve deeper into the application and validation of object detection results. You’ll learn how to convert detections into usable vector layers and how to integrate them into existing GIS analyses. The course also covers quality control, reproducibility, and practical applications.

You’ll work with additional plugins and tools, such as SAM/segmentation-based plugins (e.g., GeoOSAM-style workflows) for refining and correcting objects. You will also learn how to apply object detection in specific use cases, such as monitoring, inventories, and policy analyses, and how to report results clearly.

Topics for Day 2:

  • Refining and Correcting Object Detection Results
  • Converting detections to vector layers
  • Validation and quality control of AI detections
  • Combining object detection with standard QGIS analysis
  • Applications in monitoring, reporting, and policy
Course duration: 2 dagen
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Learning Objectives for the QGIS Object Detection Course

  • Explain object detection concepts and determine when AI-based object detection is appropriate for GIS analyses.
  • Prepare raster data, such as satellite images and orthophotos, for object detection in QGIS.
  • Correctly use commonly used QGIS plugins for object detection, such as Deepness and GeoAI, without programming.
  • Interpret and validate object detection results and convert them into usable vector layers.
  • Apply object detection in reproducible GIS workflows for monitoring, analysis, and reporting.

Want to know more?

Do you have questions about the course content? Or are you unsure whether the course aligns with your learning goals or preferences? Would you prefer an in-house or private course? We’d be happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions About the QGIS Object Detection Course

  • Deepness – running deep learning models (object detection and segmentation)
  • GeoAI – AI-based object detection and advanced image analysis
  • SAM / segmentation plugins – interactive and semi-automatic object extraction
  • Standard QGIS tools for visualization, validation, and analysis

Reliability depends on the quality of the input data, the model used, and the settings. In this course, you will learn how to identify errors, noise, and uncertainties, how to validate results, and when manual correction or additional analysis is necessary.

In traditional GIS analysis, objects are often digitized manually or derived from existing vector layers. Object detection uses AI models to automatically identify objects in raster data such as satellite imagery or aerial photographs, making analyses faster, more consistent, and more reproducible.

No, the course focuses on applying object detection using QGIS plugins with graphical interfaces. You will learn to work with existing models and workflows without having to write code yourself, while still gaining an understanding of the underlying principles.

Yes, to keep up with the program, it’s important to have a solid grasp of the basics of QGIS. If you don’t, we recommend the QGIS basics training.