AI in the?Stars

Navigating the Constellations of Space Economy and Generative Intelligence (AI)

In the cosmic dance between human multi-planetary life and technological evolution, two seemingly stars have begun to align?—?Artificial Intelligence (AI)?—?the indisputable hype cycle leader and the presumably future hype around the New Space Economy.

The past year has witnessed a crescendo in discussions around Generative AI, causing ripples of innovation across industries. Many speak from the AI Age?—?me included. Being in the AI game since 2012, my natural curiosity as an innovator started to wonder; “What’s next?”

Well, how about a Space Hype? The space economy is poised to skyrocket to $1.25 trillion by 2030, and the confluence of AI and space exploration offers a galaxy of opportunities, far beyond our earthly imaginations.

As I already said in my article in November 2022: “To save the earth, business leaders need a space strategy?—?now.” The same goes for an AI strategy?—?just saying.

Embarking on the New Space?Economy

The New Space Economy, characterized by its entrepreneurial spirit, beckons business models that not only drive economic growth but also sow the seeds of sustainable and equitable development across our planetary and extraterrestrial landscapes. As part of MIT’s certificate course “New Space Economy” from Prof. Alessandro Golkar, a true space pioneer, we discovered the technologies, products, services, and business models. In the past few years, we have moved from the traditional space industry to a vastly accessible and entrepreneurial new space industry that is a trigger for unseen innovations.

Some may not even be from earth.

Harmonizing AI and Space?Ventures

Imagine, Moon bases specializing in mining Helium-3, a rare isotope scarce on our blue planet but abundant on the moon, all aimed at fuelling a sustainable energy future. Such pioneering space missions, intertwined with AI, herald a future where technological advancements and sustainability walk hand in hand across the lunar surface. The integration of AI into space missions is not merely a technological challenge but an intricate tapestry of ethical, environmental, and design considerations, ensuring that our cosmic ventures do not repeat the mistakes made on Earth.

Designing the Human-AI Experience Beyond?Earth

At PRATT Institute I teach my students the importance of the new human-AI-centered design approach to create an accessible, sustainable, and harmonious future for us humans and machines.

As we catapult into an era where living and working in space and on other planets becomes a tangible reality, the design of human-AI experiences in extraterrestrial realms takes center stage. Our technological interventions must be crafted with a keen eye on circularity which is inevitable for living outside of earth, and also undeniably necessary for continuing to live on earth.

All waste generated during a space mission will be processed and converted into reusable materials or energy. Imagine creating a small-scale, closed-loop system where waste helps grow food, which in turn sustains astronauts, who then produce waste, thus completing the cycle. The AI can monitor, adapt, and optimize this ecosystem.

Or going beyond food, AI could optimize designs for tools, habitation modules, or wearables aboard spacecraft or extraterrestrial bases by analyzing available recycled materials. For instance, if an item breaks, AI could redesign it based on available waste, ensuring no need for external resources.

The indelible footprints create solutions that are not only functional and efficient but also ethically sound and environmentally friendly.

Conclusion: A Galactic Call to Innovators and?Leaders

As AI and Space exploration converge, business leaders, designers, and innovators find themselves amidst a universe of opportunities?—?the most exciting time to be alive.?

What fascinates me the most is the opportunity the human-AI relationship opens to build sustainable, ethical, and useful innovations in ways previously unimaginable.

We humans tend to think in linear progressions, moving from problem to solution in a sequential manner. This propensity is largely shaped by our educational systems, cultural paradigms, and cognitive frameworks that prioritize direct cause-effect relationships and immediate goals?—?which I believe is a larger discussion we should have (just not here today).

However, in strong contrast, nature operates through intricate webs of systems, networks, and feedback loops. It thrives on interconnections, with countless factors influencing every outcome.

One of the marvels of both nature and space, in my view, is how seemingly simple rules or interactions give rise to unexpected, emergent properties. AI brings these emergent properties to the forefront of design, uncovering solutions beyond our linear imaginations. The magic, as you’ve heard me share at keynotes and other articles, lies in computational design.

As we stand poised on this interstellar threshold, let’s ensure our leaps into the cosmos are leaps toward a harmonious future, intertwining technology, humanity, and the vast expanse of the universe.