AI has changed how businesses are done; this technology is now at the forefront of innovation and creativity. But what goes behind this technology, and how does one train an AI model such as ChatGPT?
The answer is simple: Data Annotation.
Moreover, data annotation is a tree with many braches and we have discussed each one of them. Before discussing its types, let’s have a quick overview about what data annotation means.
What is Data Annotation?
Simply put, data annotation is the process of labeling data. This becomes the foundation for training machine learning algorithms for understanding the information being processed.
It then becomes a guide for training an AI model to help comprehend data types, which includes the following (don’t worry, we will dive into the details in the next section):
- Images
- Video
- Audio
- Text
Having the right data annotation expert onboard represents reliable outcomes that can be fed to your website’s chatbot.
Different Types of Data Annotation Services Businesses Can Outsource?
Here are the different data annotation services your business can outsource:
- Image Annotation
- Text Annotation
- Audio Annotation
- Video Annotation
- 3D Point Cloud Annotation
- Geospatial Annotation
1. Image Annotation
Image annotation is the process of labeling images; this is useful when training AI models. This procedure is run by humans using an image annotation tool to help tag different parts of an image under consideration. The raw data (image) is converted into structured data by identifying different elements.
What Are The Types of Image Annotation?
Here are the types of image annotation methods used by industry experts:
- Semantic Segmentation
- Bounding Boxes
- Image Classification
- Object Detection
Which Industries Use Image Annotation?
Here are some industries that can take advantage of image annotation:
- Security and Surveillance Agencies
- Agriculture
- Medicine
- Robotics
2. Text Annotation
Text annotation is a process that assigns labels to any text document. This can be done to identify different aspects of the document, like context and sentence structure.
As human language is somewhat complicated for machines to understand, it’s always a good practice to set criteria. This will prepare the dataset for any future reference. This allows the machine to mimic human language and understanding to a certain degree.
What Are The Types of Text Annotation?
Here are the types of text annotation methods used by industry experts:
- Entity Annotation
- Entity Linking
- Text Classification
- Sentiment annotation
Which Industries Use Text Annotation?
Here are some industries that can take advantage of text annotation:
- Insurance
- Banking
- Logistics
- Media
- Telecommunication
3. Audio Annotation
Audio annotation is the process of meta-data to an existing audio recording. The purpose is to describe its content and make it easier for the machine to understand, which feeds data into the Natural Language Processing system.
The source of audio doesn’t matter it can be in the form of instruments, animals, or people like you and me. Through audio annotation you can identify the date when it was recorded and what’s the topic under discussion.
What Are The Types of Audio Annotation?
Here are the types of audio annotation methods used by industry experts:
- Speech into Text Transcription
- Music Classification
- Natural Language Utterance
- Labelling Speech
- Audio Classification
Which Industries Use Audio Annotation?
Here are some industries that can take advantage of audio annotation:
- Customer Service
- Healthcare
- Technology (such as Virtual Assistants)
- Entertainment
- Education
4. Video Annotation
Video annotation is labeling different elements within the video content. This involves identifying and categorizing objects and events frame by frame to help the AI model understand the context and make it more accessible. Once the video’s content is understood by the AI model, it can help create systems that run on an auto-pilot.
What Are The Types of Video Annotation?
Here are the types of video annotation methods used by industry experts:
- Bounding Boxes
- Polygon Annotation
- Semantic Segmentation
- Key Point Annotation
- Landmark Annotation
- 3D Cuboid Annotation
- Rapid Annotation
Which Industries Use Video Annotation?
Here are some industries that can take advantage of video annotation:
- Transportation
- Architecture and Geospatial Applications
- Traffic Management
- Manufacturing
- Retail
5. 3D Point Cloud Annotation
3D point cloud annotation is the procedure of labeling data that’s in a three-dimensional space. This type of data is collected by using LiDAR and stereo cameras. This AI training method is essential for validating machine learning models and identifying objects in the 3D space. You can even calculate the detailed dimensions of objects, which is important in the logistics industry.
What Are The Types of 3D Point Cloud Annotation?
Here are the types of 3D point cloud annotation methods used by industry experts:
- Bounding Boxes
- Instance Segmentation
- Panoptic Segmentation
- Skeletal Annotation:
- Surface Annotation
Which Industries Use 3D Point Cloud Annotation?
Here are some industries that can take advantage of 3D point cloud annotation services:
- Autonomous Vehicles.
- Retail.
- AI & ML Companies.
- Robotics
6. Geospatial Annotation
Geospatial annotation is the process of adding descriptions to existing geospatial data. The condition is that a geographic or spatial component should exist.
This type of data annotation involves different types of information, such as the following:
- Labels and Names
- Attributes
- Coordinates
- Boundaries and Areas
- Icons and Symbols
What Are The Types of Geospatial Annotation?
Here are the types of Geospatial annotation methods used by industry experts:
- Geometric Annotation
- Symbolic Annotation
- Temporal Annotation
- Metadata Annotation
- Contextual Annotations
Which Industries Use Geospatial Annotation?
Here are some industries that can take advantage of Geospatial annotation services:
- Urban Planning
- Supply Chain Management
- Forestry and Timber
- Insurance
How to Choose the Right Data Annotation Outsourcing Service Provider?
When choosing a data annotation service provider for your business, it’s important that you clearly define your expectations. It should include the project’s requirements, timeline, and data annotator’s expertise. This will help prevent any unforeseen surprises from coming your way.
Data is power for any company, whether a small business, or an enterprise, so it would be best to opt for a data annotation company that respects this clause.
To ensure data security, sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement with your outsourcing vendor. Look if the service provider has certifications such as GDPR or ISO 27001. This will add an extra layer of protection to your data.
Conclusion
If you are not clear on which data annotation outsourcing provider to opt for, I would recommend opting for HiredSupport. This data annotation company offers a 7-day free trial, which will help you manage your expectations and give you first-hand experience working with an outsourcing agency.
Once the free trial ends, you can start working with HiredSupport’s data annotators for just $3/hr. This is the most affordable rate in the market, allowing business owners to grow while saving costs. And the company is headquartered in California, which means you can hold the company accountable if things go south.
