Former NASA astronaut Steve Lee Smith praised India’s ambitious lunar mission, Chandrayan-3, highlighting the country’s determination and progress in surpassing major players like Russia, Japan, and the US.
During a session at the International Conclave on GenAI, organized by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in partnership with IBM, Mr. Smith commended India’s resilience and tenacity in pushing the boundaries of its space program.
Reflecting on his experience as an astronaut, Mr. Smith emphasized the importance of being mission-driven and recounted his journey in NASA, which included four space missions traveling at speeds of 28,000 km/hour and covering 16 million miles on the space shuttle. He also conducted seven spacewalks, including repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope.
Drawing inspiration from his friendship with India-born astronaut Kalpana Chawla, Mr. Smith shared his perseverance in pursuing his dream of becoming an astronaut, despite facing rejection four times from NASA before finally achieving his goal.
Speaking about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), Mr. Smith highlighted its role in simplifying processes and urged governments to invest in building efficient AI models and training individuals with the necessary skills.
In a separate development, European football clubs are exploring the use of GenAI for scouting talent, while the state of Kerala in India is offering incentives to AI-driven MSMEs and companies, as announced by the Chief Minister.
As AI continues to revolutionize various industries, including space exploration and sports, the focus remains on leveraging technology for innovation and growth.
