NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has appointed David Salvagnini as the new head of artificial intelligence (AI) of the agency, with immediate effect. The role is an expansion of Salvagnini’s current role as chief data officer. Before her appointment, Kate Calvin held the role of official responsible for AI within NASA.
The US Space Agency uses a wide range of AI tools to benefit humanity, from supporting the agency’s missions and research projects, to analyzing data to reveal trends and patterns, to developing systems in capable of autonomously supporting space vehicles and aircraft.
Accelerate discoveries
“Artificial intelligence has been used safely at NASA for decades and, as this technology expands, can accelerate the pace of discovery – declared Nelson -. It is important to stay at the forefront of progress and responsible use. In this new role, Salvagnini will lead the Agency’s efforts to drive the responsible use of AI in the cosmos and on Earth for the benefit of all humanity.”
This appointment is in accordance with the executive order of President of the United States, Joe Biden, on the development and safe and reliable use of artificial intelligence. Salvagnini is now responsible for aligning the strategic vision and planning for the use of AI across NASA, from platforms to training.
Strategic partnerships
In this expanded guise, Salvagnini will continue NASA’s collaboration with other government agenciesiacademic institutions, industrial partners and other experts to ensure the Agency is at the forefront of artificial intelligence technology.
Salvagnini joined NASA in June 2023 after working in technology leadership for the intelligence community for more than 20 years. Before joining NASA, he worked for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as director of the architecture and integration group and chief architect.
Former Air Force soldier
Salvagnini has also held multiple roles leading enterprise-wide IT research and development, engineering and operations to advance data, IT and artificial intelligence programs. Salvagnini served in the Air Force for 21 yearsi, retiring in May 2005 as a communications and information systems officer.
Emerging technologies
NASA continues to develop recommendations for taking advantage of emerging artificial intelligence technology to best serve the Agency’s goals and missions, from sifting through Earth science images to identify areas of interest, to searching for data on planets outside our solar system from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, to programming the Perseverance Mars rover’s communications across the Deep Space Network and more.
