MIT Sloan Management Review Podcast on AI on Mars

When Vandi Verma saw the Spirit and Opportunity rovers land on Mars while she was working toward a Ph.D. in robotics, it set her on a path toward working at NASA in space exploration. Perhaps unsurprisingly, today, as chief engineer for robotic operations at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Vandi sees the biggest opportunities for artificial intelligence in robotics and automation.

On this episode of the Me, Myself, and AI podcast, she describes the ways in which the Mars rovers rely on AI, including the technology’s use in digital twin simulations that enable JPL scientists to practice their driving skills before actually controlling the rovers on Mars. She also discusses with hosts Shervin Khodabandeh and Sam Ransbotham how NASA’s use of AI — and its approach to risk — offer lessons for organizations that are looking to simulate real-world scenarios here on Earth.

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