Don’t assume AI is always the answer, says U.S. Space Force data and AI chief

As the chief data and AI officer for the U.S. Space Force, Donelson says the crux of her job is securing the technologies that Americans rely on every day. “My role is very simple but also very complex, it’s to ensure that there is not a day without space data,” Donelson said said Monday at Fortune’s Brainstorm AI event in San Francisco.

Donelson was joined by Arvind Srinivasan, the chief technology officer of space tech company Maxar, on a panel about the “galaxy” of uses for AI in space exploration.

In general, Donelson said tech leaders should be changing the conversation around AI, and start by asking what their problem to solve is, before assuming there’s an AI solution. 

“If artificial intelligence happens to be the solution then let’s do that,” Donelson said. “If not, let’s have real conversations … about alternate pathways and solutions.”

When it comes to emerging AI capabilities like AI “agents” which can carry out specific tasks for users, Donelson said the technology would be more likely to play an administrative role — such as booking travel arrangements for department employees — rather than being involved in high stakes missions, in which the organization maintains a human in the loop.

Maxar’s Arvind Srinivasan said he’s optimistic about “democratized” space travel. He pointed out that compared to a decade ago, it’s now much easier and cheaper for a new company to launch their rockets.

“It’s created this ecosystem where space is democratized for the right players who know how to turn it into a profitable business,” Srinivasan said.

And as billionaire rocketmen Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk vie for lucrative government contracts, Donelson gave a nugget of reassurance to companies who might not be as cozy with the incoming administration.

“We’re going to partner with the most innovative companies that can deliver the capabilities we need, regardless of who they are,” she said. In particular, she’s focusing on the promise of satellite imagery. She’s hopeful that capabilities are advancing to the point where an agent will be able to gather real-time data about a situation unfolding on the ground within a matter of seconds.

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