At the frontier of space and artificial intelligence, the In-Space Physical AI Workshop will bring together leaders from government, academia and industry Nov. 6-7 at the Ion to examine how autonomous technologies can drive the next era of space exploration and discovery.
What: In-Space Physical AI Workshop
When: Nov. 6-7
Where: The Ion, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX 77002
Co-organized by Rice Nexus, a Rice University translation and commercialization engine, in partnership with NASA, Purdue University and Vanderbilt University, the workshop will focus on four strategic themes shaping the next era of space activity:
- deep-space autonomy for long-duration missions;
- strategic economic presence in low-Earth orbit and cislunar space;
- physical AI for national defense and planetary protection; and
- international collaboration in AI-enabled exploration.
Participants will examine how physical AI systems — intelligent machines that combine sensing, reasoning and physical action to operate autonomously in complex environments — can support future missions and strengthen global partnerships. The event will also feature startup demos and technology showcases from marquee aerospace companies highlighting emerging AI tools for space missions and Earth-based applications.
“From establishing a partnership with Purdue University last year to welcoming Vanderbilt University and, for the first time, active participation from the U.S. Space Force this year, this workshop’s growing success is a testament to the power of collaboration across major institutions,” said Sanjoy Paul, general chair of the workshop organizing committee and Rice Nexus executive director.
“We are sincerely grateful to our partners at Purdue, Vanderbilt and NASA/Johnson Space Center for their active participation and commitment. Together, we have put together an incredibly impactful program that will serve industry, academia and government at large by driving essential discourse around the future of AI in space.”
Now in its third year, the In-Space Physical AI Workshop has become a focal point for collaboration among academic, government and commercial partners. The event continues to solidify Houston — and Rice’s Ion District — as a national hub for innovation in AI and space technology.
For more information on this free workshop, including registration details, click here.
Media planning to attend the event please RSVP with Silvia Cernea Clark at sc220@rice.edu.