An image of the satellite Chang’e 5 Image credit: wikipedia

What would AI do with complete control over a satellite? China finds out

For 24 hours, a small Near-Earth Orbit (NEO) satellite called Qimingxing 1 was governed entirely by an AI program.

The satellite chose Patna in India and Osaka in Japan for taking a “closer look”. The other locations have not been released by the researchers to the Press.

The team suggested that an AI-controlled satellite could alert select users – including the military, national security administration and other relevant agencies – if it detected unusual objects or activity.

Emma, which is an AI engine that explains news in various formats, generated this poem to explain what just happened:

This is not China’s first foray into AI led satellite operations. In April 2022, Chinese researchers published a paper after their work was able to use AI to train satellites to keep a closer watch on moving targets even as they went into a tunnel, under a bridge, or otherwise vanished from view.

*However, we could not find the original paper on the internet.

Question For You

How do you feel about satellites governed entirely by AI programs? Do share your views in the comments.