An evaluation of platforms for processing camera-trap data using artificial intelligence

Velez and colleagues compared the major software platforms and tools that apply artificial intelligence to camera-trap images, including options such as Wildlife Insights, MegaDetector-based pipelines, and others, evaluating their accuracy, usability, cost, species coverage, and data-management features. The study gives practitioners a practical, side-by-side appraisal to help them select tools matched to their technical capacity and project needs. It documented strengths and limitations across platforms, such as differences in how well models generalize and how much manual verification remains necessary. By benchmarking the real-world performance and ergonomics of competing systems, the paper fills a gap between method development and adoption. It is a useful, increasingly cited reference for researchers choosing an AI workflow for camera-trap data.