One embodiment provides a system that facilitates efficient collection of training data for training an image-detection artificial intelligence (AI) engine. During operation, the system obtains a three-dimensional (3D) model of a physical object placed in a scene, generates a virtual object corresponding to the physical object based on the 3D model, and substantially superimposes, in a view of an augmented reality (AR) camera, the virtual object over the physical object. The system can further configure the AR camera to capture a physical image comprising the physical object in the scene and a corresponding AR image comprising the virtual object superimposed over the physical object, and create an annotation for the physical image based on the AR image.