NASA has been collecting vast amounts of complex data from Earth observation satellites for decades. This data is used to track climate change, monitor wildfires, and many other tasks. However, processing such information and communicating it to a wide audience remains a challenge.
To solve this problem, NASA teamed up with Microsoft to create Earth Copilot, a chat instrument based on generative artificial intelligence. This instrument allows users to work with complex satellite imagery and data in a clear and convenient way.
Accessibility for all
Previously, understanding satellite data was only available to a narrow range of specialists. Earth Copilot opens access to this information to a much wider audience. Users can interact with the instrument in a dialog format by asking questions like: “What was the impact of Hurricane Ian in Sanibel Island?” or “How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect air quality in the US?”
Earth Copilot analyzes relevant datasets and provides easy-to-understand answers. This avoids complex technical processes such as dealing with geospatial analysis or data formats, which usually requires specialized skills.
AI’s potential in Earth exploration
Microsoft emphasizes that NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program covers a huge array of information, from land cover changes to ocean temperatures. However, the scale and complexity of the data can deter even experienced users. Earth Copilot dramatically reduces the time it takes to get useful information to a few seconds.
Testing and future implementation
Earth Copilot is now being tested by NASA scientists to ensure its reliability and safety. In the future, the instrument will be integrated into NASA’s VEDA (Visual Exploration and Data Analysis) platform, which will provide users with the ability to search, analyze, and visualize Earth science data.
Earth Copilot promises to be a powerful instrument for working with data, contributing to new discoveries and a better understanding of our planet’s processes.
We previously reported on whether artificial intelligence would replace astronomers.
Provided by Microsoft
