Opening of NASA's AI Town Hall with a focus on the use of AI at the agency.

• Melissa Howell introduces the town hall emphasizing the role of AI in NASA's technology and exploration.
• Audience questions will be taken after the discussion, both in-person and online.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson discusses the agency's approach to embracing new AI technologies.

• AI is not new to NASA but is transforming rapidly, offering new opportunities for exploration and discovery.
• The technology is used to test, refine, and integrate into NASA's work, aiming to benefit humankind.
• Safety, transparency, and reliability are key pillars in NASA's adoption of AI.

Deputy Administrator Colonel Pam Melroy emphasizes the importance of AI in advancing NASA's mission.

• AI enhances NASA's ability to analyze data, support missions, and drive research.
• Responsible AI usage is vital, considering potential risks like unintended bias.
• NASA is committed to robust governance and protective measures in AI initiatives.

Panelists discuss the impact of AI on NASA's scientific research and mission support.

• AI contributes significantly to analyzing large datasets from Earth observing satellites and space telescopes.
• The Artemis missions benefit from AI in observing lunar and Martian surfaces, optimizing mission operations, and more.
• There are concerns about AI bias and data security, but existing processes can help mitigate risk.

Audience members ask questions about AI budgeting, tool accessibility, and authenticity of NASA imagery.

• AI tools will be available to the NASA workforce, and budget constraints may require prioritizing certain investments.
• NASA aims to partner with private AI organizations and is exploring closed off deployments for internal data use.
• Concerns about AI-generated imagery falsely attributed to NASA are addressed through ongoing discussions.