Introducing the Planet AI App: Search. Explore. Act.

Planet Labs has introduced the Planet AI app, a map-based chat interface that allows users to search a decade of satellite imagery using everyday language. The tool enables exploration of physical locations over time, combining imagery with publicly available data to contextualize findings. Access is currently free, requiring only a sign-up at ai.planet.com to begin exploring. The application aims to bridge the gap between AI’s digital capabilities and real-world geospatial analysis.

Early testing revealed users valued the app’s discovery phase, where it helped identify areas of interest without manual scrolling or extensive prior knowledge. One user noted the tool’s ability to scan entire deserts quickly, a task impractical without automation. Another highlighted how AI could guide teams toward relevant data, saving time in early analysis stages. These insights shaped recent enhancements focused on improving the initial search and exploration experience.

Conservation teams are using the app to monitor habitats, detect illegal activities like encroachment or fires, and verify deforestation alerts before deploying field teams. Environmental compliance teams demonstrated the ability to locate industrial sites near waterways for inspections, reducing manual GIS workflows from days to minutes. The tool’s time-series comparisons also help track vegetation recovery and establish baseline habitats for conservation reporting.

The AI app is part of Planet Labs’ broader initiative called Planetary Intelligence, which integrates daily satellite imagery with AI to deliver near-real-time insights about environmental changes. Future updates will expand AI integration across Planet’s offerings, with users encouraged to provide feedback via the app’s ‘share feedback’ button. Premium capabilities will require a Planet Insights account, though current access remains free for all users.