So I've seen how AI can try to enhance a blurry photo and enhance it into what it thinks is best.

 

Is it theoretically possible to implement this in Microsoft flight simulator? Like having some AI software visually improve the photogrammetry?

Edited April 9Apr 9 by simsuper80

Theoretically it probably can be done, but will be an enormous processing overhead.

Considering the energy and water requirements to drive AI I cannot in good conscience support such a thought. Let the server farms process medical problems, not enhance silly little games.  😑

1 hour ago, simsuper80 said:

So I've seen how AI can try to enhance a blurry photo and enhance it into what it thinks is best.

 

Is it theoretically possible to implement this in Microsoft flight simulator? Like having some AI software visually improve the photogrammetry?

Hopefully not. The last thing that I need is the AI cancer spreading into my pc

Certainly theoretically possible, but I'd guess too overhead-intensive to be practical, 'on demand' in a flight sim. 

I think there's some confusion in this thread.

Photogrammetry is already using AI in MSFS (blackshark.ai). As far as I know, they are using a range of AI and machine learning tools in the background of the engine to clean up the source data they have (Bing etc.) and I was always under the impression that this extends into ground textures, where AI is used to clean up images, colour match and remove artifacts as good as possible.

Here's an interview that goes into some of the detail ahead of the launch of MSFS24: How Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 uses machine learning AI, and how much of your data it might need | Rock Paper Shotgun

24 minutes ago, Speedbird193 said:

I think there's some confusion in this thread.

Photogrammetry is already using AI in MSFS (blackshark.ai). As far as I know, they are using a range of AI and machine learning tools in the background of the engine to clean up the source data they have (Bing etc.) and I was always under the impression that this extends into ground textures, where AI is used to clean up images, colour match and remove artifacts as good as possible.

Here's an interview that goes into some of the detail ahead of the launch of MSFS24: How Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 uses machine learning AI, and how much of your data it might need | Rock Paper Shotgun

Ahh ok. Because we all know how bad it can look if your 300ft off the ground 

2 hours ago, Speedbird193 said:

I think there's some confusion in this thread.

Photogrammetry is already using AI in MSFS (blackshark.ai). As far as I know, they are using a range of AI and machine learning tools in the background of the engine to clean up the source data they have (Bing etc.) and I was always under the impression that this extends into ground textures, where AI is used to clean up images, colour match and remove artifacts as good as possible.

Here's an interview that goes into some of the detail ahead of the launch of MSFS24: How Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 uses machine learning AI, and how much of your data it might need | Rock Paper Shotgun

Were. They announced a while back that Blackshark.ai and them were no longer in business.

On 4/9/2026 at 9:29 PM, simsuper80 said:

Ahh ok. Because we all know how bad it can look if your 300ft off the ground 

It's not meant to be looked at 300ft. The technology has limits. And since flying below 1000ft AGL is prohibited above settlements anyway, you only have to simulate being a lawful pilot. 😉

On 4/9/2026 at 4:05 PM, Speedbird193 said:

think there's some confusion in this thread.

Photogrammetry is already using AI in MSFS (blackshark.ai)

You’re the one confused.

Blackshark.ai team was only used for autogen, not photogrammetry.

 

and as someone else already mentioned, they’re not involved with 2024.

Edited April 12Apr 12 by Tuskin38

On 4/9/2026 at 1:23 PM, simsuper80 said:

So I've seen how AI can try to enhance a blurry photo and enhance it into what it thinks is best.

 

Is it theoretically possible to implement this in Microsoft flight simulator? Like having some AI software visually improve the photogrammetry?

This is obliquely what I was getting at in my recent post and others, regarding gaussian splatting and photogrammetry.

This video translates my random thoughts/musings into demos of extant and emerging technologies.......

We can imagine what this could mean for flightsimmg; even if only as a technology update to things like Bing and Google maps.....

 

Edited April 14Apr 14 by HiFlyer

Just touching on the topic again, as some seemed a bit skeptical......

I suspect this is going to be a big deal, possibly sooner, rather than later.

On 4/10/2026 at 9:41 PM, Farlis said:

It's not meant to be looked at 300ft. The technology has limits. And since flying below 1000ft AGL is prohibited above settlements anyway, you only have to simulate being a lawful pilot. 😉

Not when you are landing at airports that are within city boundaries. Approaches to runway 09 at EGLC London City will take you very close to photogrammetry buildings and trees. One of the many reasons why I steer well clear of photogrammetry.

I once asked ChatGPT to create a Blender model for our house from a Google Street View photo. The result was most entertaining, but it didn't look remotely like a house. Sure, that was just a single query, and I am sure one can train AI to do that properly. But it would need serious efforts and would almost certainly require a company and a lot of investments to create individual buildings in a satisfactory way.

Peter

My head is spinning just thinking about how much data this would require. When making MSFS scenery for cities by importing Google 3D map data, even small areas of just a few square blocks end up in 3-4GB territory at a decent LOD.

My head is spinning just thinking about how much data this would require. When making MSFS scenery for cities by importing Google 3D map data, even small areas of just a few square blocks end up in 3-4GB territory at a decent LOD.