NASA is collaborating with Microsoft to develop an AI chatbot named Earth Copilot, aimed at making vast amounts of Earth science data more accessible to the public.
Currently, NASA's archive of Earth science data is projected to reach 250 petabytes by the end of 2025. Traditionally, accessing this data has required specialized skills in geospatial analysis, limiting its use to experienced researchers.
Earth Copilot will allow users to ask questions about extreme weather events, air quality, and deforestation using simple language. This initiative aims to democratize access to complex data, as stated by Microsoft’s Corporate VP Tyler Bryson.
At present, Earth Copilot is being tested internally by NASA scientists. Once testing concludes, it will be integrated into NASA's Visualization, Exploration, and Data Analysis (VEDA) platform, which facilitates the processing and visualization of Earth science data.
Once publicly available, Earth Copilot is expected to enhance accessibility to advanced Earth data for users from all backgrounds, representing a significant advancement in data analytics.