How should I interpret the results?

When you upload a photo of a seashell, our AI model analyzes it and provides the name of the species along with a probability percentage. A high probability (such as over 80%) means the model is confident that the seashell in your image matches the species it identified.

However, there's an important point to keep in mind: sometimes the AI might give a high probability to an image that doesn't actually show that seashell — or even a seashell at all. For example, if you upload a picture of your goldfish or your dog, the model might still confidently (but incorrectly) label it as a specific seashell species.

This happens because the AI is designed to always give an answer; it doesn't have the option to say "I don't know what this is." So while the probability score can be a helpful indicator, it's also important to use your own judgment to decide if the identification makes sense based on the image you provided.

How can I be sure the identified species is correct?

While our AI model aims to provide accurate identifications, absolute certainty isn't guaranteed. Here's how you can increase confidence in the results:

1. Upload Multiple Photos: Take several pictures of the same shell from different angles, lighting conditions, and orientations. This gives the AI more visual information to analyze, which can improve the accuracy of its identification.
   
2. Compare Results: Check the names and probability scores the model provides for each photo. If the model consistently identifies the shell as the same species with high probabilities, it's more likely to be correct.
   
3. Verify with Other Resources: Cross-reference the AI's identification with field guides, reputable online databases, or consult with human experts in marine biology or conchology.
   

Please keep in mind that our AI model operates at a beginner level and may not have expert-level precision. It's a helpful tool to start your exploration, but for confirmation, relying on additional resources is recommended.

What types of seashells can the AI identify?

Our AI model has been trained on a diverse range of seashell species from around the world. While it covers many common species, it may not recognize every shell, especially rare or region-specific ones. We're continually updating our database to include more species. A list of all species the AI model is able to detect is given here.

Is my data and privacy protected?

Photos you upload are used only for identification purposes. We do not store personal data without your consent, nor do we share your images with third parties.

Can I use the application offline?

An internet connection is required to upload images and receive results, as the AI processing happens on our servers. Offline functionality is not currently available.

How can I contribute to improving the AI model?

You can help by:

• Providing Feedback: Let us know if the identification was correct or not.
• Submitting "Unrecognized" Shells: Upload shells that the AI couldn't identify with a high proability to help us expand our database.
• Sharing High-Quality Images: Exceptional photos may be used to retrain and improve the model.

Do I need to create an account to use the service?

No account creation is necessary. You can start uploading images and receiving identifications immediately.

Will the AI improve over time?

Yes! We are continually working to enhance the AI by:

• Adding More Species: Expanding our database to include more shells.
• Improving Algorithms: Updating the AI model for better accuracy.
• Incorporating User Feedback: Using your input to fine-tune the system