2 New AI Institutes Launch to Help Astronomers Decode the Cosmos

NSF and Simons Foundation collaborate on AI-powered astronomy: The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Simons Foundation have launched two new National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes focused on advancing astronomical sciences through AI technologies.

• Each institute will receive $20 million over five years, with equal contributions from NSF and the Simons Foundation.
• These institutes are part of the broader NSF-led National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes program, which now includes 27 AI institutes across the United States.
• The initiative aims to harness AI’s capabilities to assist and accelerate humanity’s understanding of the universe.

Addressing the data deluge in astronomy: The new institutes are designed to tackle the challenge of processing and analyzing the vast amounts of astronomical data expected from projects like the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

• Traditional methods are insufficient to fully explore the massive and rich datasets that will be gathered in coming years.
• AI tools will provide researchers at all levels with new ways to gain valuable insights and make discoveries that might otherwise remain hidden in the data.
• The initiative seeks to advance AI capabilities beyond astronomy, making it a more useful tool for all scientific disciplines involving large datasets and complex models.

Two new AI Institutes for astronomical sciences: The funding will support the establishment of two distinct institutes, each with its own focus and collaborative network.

1. NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (NSF-Simons CosmicAI):

   • Led by The University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with several other institutions.
   • Aims to accelerate time-consuming aspects of astronomical research, such as data processing and analysis, and complex simulations.
   • Plans to develop an AI-based assistant to democratize access to astronomical data and analysis.

2. NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky (NSF-Simons SkAI):

   • Led by Northwestern University in collaboration with other universities and the Adler Planetarium.
   • Will tackle complex problems in astrophysics and astronomy across various cosmic scales.
   • Focus areas include the physics of exotic objects, galaxy formation, and the role of dark matter and dark energy in the universe.

Empowering researchers and fostering education: Both institutes have a strong emphasis on accessibility and education in AI-assisted astronomy.

• The initiatives aim to provide researchers at all career levels with access to trustworthy AI tools that can rapidly assist in research projects.
• Training and education for early-career researchers and students is a key objective over the next five years.
• Outreach activities will include summer schools for high school students and teachers, as well as online courses for certification in AI-assisted astronomy.

Alignment with national AI initiatives: The new AI Institutes for astronomical sciences are part of a broader federal effort to advance AI research and development in the United States.

• The program supports the goals outlined in the White House’s 2023 Executive Order on the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of artificial intelligence.
• NSF has a long history of supporting foundational AI research, with information available on their Artificial Intelligence webpage.

Looking ahead: AI’s role in scientific discovery: The creation of these institutes marks a significant step in integrating AI technologies into astronomical research and beyond.

• The initiative recognizes the potential of AI to revolutionize how scientists approach complex problems and analyze vast datasets.
• As these institutes develop new AI tools and methodologies, they may pave the way for similar applications in other scientific fields, potentially accelerating the pace of discovery across multiple disciplines.