This Week In Space podcast: Episode 159 — AI in Space!
Seems we can't go through an hour without hearing news about artificial intelligence these days. There are a lot of exciting developments, and some of the most exciting when thinking about space are coming from the USRA's Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science (RIACS), which is on the cutting edge of the cutting edge.
In this episode, we're speaking with the institute's director, Dr. David Bell, who will walk us through the differences between current AI, agentic AI, and -- are you ready? -- quantum-powered AI, and their current and future potential to revolutionize space exploration and development. Join us!
Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit
Trump administration proposes slashing NASA budget by 24%
Evidence of controversial Planet 9 uncovered in sky surveys taken 23 years apart
New images of Soviet Venus lander falling to Earth suggest its parachute may be out
Psyche spacecraft's sci-fi thrusters suffer glitch on way to metal-rich asteroid
Dr. David Bell | USRA
TOP TELESCOPE PICK:
Looking for a telescope to see planets and comets? We recommend the Celestron Astro Fi 102 as the top pick in our best beginner's telescope guide.
Finally, did you know you can launch your own SpaceX rocket? Model rocket maker Estes' stunning scale model of a Falcon 9 rocket that you can pick up now. The launchable model is a detailed recreation of the Falcon 9 and retails for $149.99. You can save 10% by using the code IN-COLLECTSPACE at checkout, courtesy of our partners collectSPACE.com.
This Week in Space covers the new space age. Every Friday we take a deep dive into a fascinating topic. What's happening with the new race to the moon and other planets? When will SpaceX really send people to Mars?
Join Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik from Space.com as they tackle those questions and more each week on Friday afternoons. You can subscribe today on your favorite podcatcher.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Business Insider
an hour ago
- Business Insider
Africa's richest country pushes rule review that would ease Elon Musk's Starlink entry
South Africa is reviewing policies that could allow Elon Musk's Starlink and other satellite internet providers to operate in the country without giving up ownership stakes, the telecoms minister said. South Africa is reconsidering its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies related to foreign satellite internet providers. The proposed changes suggest allowing equity-equivalent programs instead of mandatory 30% Black ownership. SpaceX supports these reforms, which might facilitate its operations in the country without ceding ownership. Opposition voices criticise the potential policy shift, alleging favouritism towards wealthy foreign interests. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is considering 19,000 public submissions on proposed changes to the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) rules. The review would assess whether tech firms could meet the requirements through equity-equivalent programs rather than the current 30% Black ownership threshold, according to Bloomberg. 'We are prioritizing it, you cannot sit on submissions. Once done, and based on the sentiment, we can make a submission to Icasa to make the final decision,' Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi said, referring to the regulatory Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. No Starlink in Africa's biggest economy Despite being operational in over 17 African countries, including neighbouring nations like Namibia, Mozambique, and Botswana, South Africa, the continent's largest economy, is not on the Starlink network. Elon Musk has rejected demands to give up equity to meet Black-ownership rules designed to address apartheid-era inequalities, calling the laws 'openly racist.' SpaceX, in its submission to the government, has backed the proposed amendments. Under the new changes, telecoms companies could meet empowerment requirements by investing in infrastructure, digital inclusion, or research projects that benefit disadvantaged communities, rather than ceding ownership. The plan has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, who accuse the government of rewriting laws to favour a wealthy foreign billionaire.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The White House just joined TikTok a month before it's set to be banned (again)
The White House joined TikTok on Tuesday with a video montage of President Donald Trump. The US government previously voted to ban TikTok over national security concerns. TikTok faces a divest-or-ban deadline next month, though it's been extended several times this year. A lot can change in a year — just ask TikTok. Last year, the US government took the extraordinary step of voting to ban the popular app used by millions of Americans, citing national security concerns. On Tuesday, the White House became its latest user. The White House TikTok account launched with a video montage of President Donald Trump narrated by the man himself. "Every day I wake up determined to deliver a better life for the people all across this nation," Trump says over images of him with UFC head Dana White, law enforcement officers, and American workers. "I am your voice!" The account's second post featured various shots of the White House during different seasons. The White House joined the app less than a month before it's set to be banned in the US on September 17 unless it's sold to a US buyer, though that deadline has already been extended several times. "The Trump administration is committed to communicating the historic successes President Trump has delivered to the American people with as many audiences and platforms as possible," Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said in a statement to Business Insider. "President Trump's message dominated TikTok during his presidential campaign, and we're excited to build upon those successes and communicate in a way no other administration has before." The White House did not respond to questions about whether the divest-or-ban deadline would be extended again or if a deal was expected by the deadline. Lawmakers in April 2024 voted to ban TikTok unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sold its American assets. Some officials cited concerns that sensitive data belonging to American users could end up in the hands of the Chinese government, and members of Congress have said it could be used for Chinese Communist Party propaganda. TikTok has said it does not share data with the Chinese government. The TikTok divest-or-ban law, signed by President Joe Biden last year, gave TikTok until January 19 to sell or risk shutting down. The app briefly went dark that day for US-based users before coming back online, with TikTok crediting Trump for its return. The White House has said the president does not want TikTok to go dark and prefers it be sold. Trump has delayed the divest-or-ban deadline three times since taking office in January. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC last month that TikTok will go dark again unless China agrees to a deal that will give Americans control over the app. "We've made the decision. You can't have Chinese control and have something on 100 million American phones," Lutnick said, adding that China's decision would be coming "very soon." TikTok and ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider


Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Bloomberg
South Africa Pushes Rule Review That Would Ease Starlink Entry
South Africa is prioritizing a policy-review process that may result in Elon Musk's SpaceX and other satellite-internet companies being allowed to operate in Africa's largest economy without ceding ownership, the nation's telecoms minister said. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is assessing 19,000 public submissions on a proposal to amend the nation's Black-economic empowerment regulations. The aim is to determine whether info-tech companies can operate in the country using equity-equivalent programs, instead of a 30% Black-ownership requirement.