Potential future missions to space could involve advanced AI systems that are capable of making autonomous decisions in real time. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) recently published a video presentation featuring Steve Chien, fellow and senior research scientist and technical group supervisor of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, at the AIAA SciTech Forum.

Chien provided insights on how AI is being used in space exploration today and in the future, especially in the search for extraterrestrial life. He described how AI has been used in space missions since the Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite in 2000, the first to implement machine learning in space.

The presentation also shed light on how mission robots including Mars rovers employ AI for navigation and scientific targeting, which can greatly enhance data collection and give scientists valuable information.

Advanced AI systems capable of making autonomous decisions in real time will ultimately be necessary, Chien said, given communication delays with earth.

Access the full presentation via AIAA’s website.