# Visual AI overview

> Visual AI overview - Working with image features in DataRobot follows the same workflow as that of
> non-image projects, with DataRobot automating the preparation, selection, and training of a wide
> variety of deep learning models.

This Markdown file sits beside the HTML page at the same path (with a `.md` suffix). It summarizes the topic and lists links for tools and LLM context.

Companion generated at `2026-04-24T16:03:56.610407+00:00` (UTC).

## Primary page

- [Visual AI overview](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/special-workflows/visual-ai/vai-overview.html): Full documentation for this topic (HTML).

## Sections on this page

- [How Visual AI works](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/special-workflows/visual-ai/vai-overview.html#how-visual-ai-works): In-page section heading.
- [Workflow overview](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/special-workflows/visual-ai/vai-overview.html#workflow-overview): In-page section heading.

## Related documentation

- [Classic UI documentation](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [Modeling](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [Specialized workflows](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/special-workflows/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [Visual AI](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/special-workflows/visual-ai/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [deep dive](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/reference/pred-ai-ref/vai-reference/vai-ref.html): Linked from this page.
- [image-processing ready dataset](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/special-workflows/visual-ai/vai-model.html#prepare-the-dataset): Linked from this page.
- [Build models](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/build-models/build-basic/model-data.html): Linked from this page.
- [Evaluate models](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/special-workflows/visual-ai/vai-insights.html): Linked from this page.
- [Fine-tune model parameters](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/special-workflows/visual-ai/vai-tuning.html): Linked from this page.

## Documentation content

# Visual AI overview

Working with image features in DataRobot follows the same workflow as that of non-image binary and multiclass classification (what kind of plant?) and regression (best listing price?) projects. Behind the scenes, DataRobot automates the preparation, selection, and training of a wide variety of deep learning models, recommending the model that is most accurate or the fastest for deployment. Visual AI allows you to combine supported image types, either alone with a single class label or in combination with all other supported feature types in a single dataset. Once you have uploaded images, you can preview them within DataRobot.

The following sample use cases illustrate the importance of visual learning:

- Manufacturing : Automate the quality control process by enabling models to identify defects
- Healthcare : Automated disease detection and diagnosis
- Energy : Analyze images from drones to make energy assets safer or more efficient
- Public safety : Detect intruders from security cameras
- Insurance : Risk analysis and claims assessment

Because processing images is an intensive and data rich process, Visual AI requires using deep learning models for decision making. These models use advanced math and millions of parameters, and without automation, require users have expertise in neural networks only to generate "black box models," which businesses are hesitant to deploy.

## How Visual AI works

DataRobot makes image processing possible by turning images into numbers, a process known as “featurizing." As numbers, they can be passed to subsequent modeling tasks (algorithms) so that they can be combined with other feature types (numeric, categorical, text, etc.). Visual AI uses pre-trained models to turn images into numeric vectors and feed those vectors to the final modeler (e.g., XGBoost, Elastic Net, etc.) with all other features. This technology can make changes to, and extract features from, the model levels, expanding the output of the pre-trained models and featurizers. By fine-tuning the model parameters, you can control the feature creation process to meet your requirements. See the [deep dive](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/reference/pred-ai-ref/vai-reference/vai-ref.html) for more detail.

## Workflow overview

The sections that follow describe the Visual AI workflow:

1. Create animage-processing ready dataset.
2. Create projects from theAI Catalogor via local file upload.
3. Preview imagesfor potential data quality issues.
4. Build models using the standard DataRobot workflow.
5. Review the dataafter building.
6. Evaluate modelson the Leaderboard using:
7. Fine-tune model parametersfor higher or lower granularity or to use a different featurizer.
8. Select a model to use formaking predictionsviaMake Predictions, the DataRobot API, or batch predictions.