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NASA has collaborated with Microsoft to develop ‘Earth Copilot’, an AI-powered tool designed to make data discovery more straightforward. Built using Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, the tool allows users to interact with NASA’s datasets through plain language queries.
For example, instead of navigating technical systems, users can ask questions such as, “How did Hurricane Ian affect Sanibel Island?” and quickly receive relevant information.
NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program collects a vast array of data from satellites, covering everything from atmospheric conditions to ocean temperatures. However, accessing and analysing this complex data has often required technical expertise, creating barriers for many potential users, which has led to the AI partnership.
The project integrates Microsoft’s AI and cloud technologies with NASA’s existing data platform, VEDA. The setup streamlines the search and analysis process, enabling researchers, policymakers, and educators to access insights more efficiently.
“We’ve designed the system to handle complex queries and large datasets efficiently, ensuring that users can quickly find the information they need without getting bogged down by technical complexities. Our goal was to create a seamless, scalable solution that could evolve as NASA’s data, tools and applications grow,” said Juan Carlos López, former NASA engineer and current Azure Specialist at Microsoft in a press release.
The broader aim of this partnership is to make NASA’s data accessible to a wider audience. For example, climate scientists can analyse trends more easily, agricultural specialists can monitor soil moisture, and teachers can use the data to engage students in real-world science. Minh Nguyen, a Microsoft Cloud Solution Architect, noted that opening up access to this data can help underserved communities use it to address local challenges.
Currently, Earth Copilot is being tested internally by NASA researchers. Once fully developed, the tool will support NASA’s Open Science initiative, which aims to make scientific research more inclusive and transparent. By simplifying access to Earth Science data, this collaboration has the potential to broaden its impact across various fields.
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