Inaugural Cosmic Horizons Conference Unites Astronomers and AI Experts

This news was originally shared by the NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins. Read the full story here.

In early May, NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (CosmicAI) brought together leading voices in astronomy and artificial intelligence (AI) for the 2025 Cosmic Horizons Conference, a three-day event held May 6-8, 2025, at the University of Texas at Austin. The conference explored the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and astronomy research. Conference sponsors included the National Science Foundation (NSF), Simons Foundation, and the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences.

The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) is part of the NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (NSF-Simons CosmicAI), a five-year program made possible by funding from the NSF and the Simons Foundation.

Presenters shared research on using machine learning to study galaxies, dark matter, gravitational waves, and the structure of the cosmos. Several projects focused on building better AI tools, running simulations to speed up discovery, and using AI to make sense of large astronomical datasets. Other presentations focused on how to make AI systems more transparent and trustworthy for scientists. From understanding the life cycle of stars to spotting strange or unexpected patterns in space, the presentations showed the wide range AI is being used in the field of astronomy.

Eric Murphy, an NSF NRAO Scientist, and representative for the NSF NRAO for CosmicAI, participated in this panel. He underscored the unifying power of astronomy, saying, “What astronomers do in general, by studying our place in the universe, is important to humanity because it is something that really links all of us – independent of your culture, religion, or what your day-to-day life is like. We all live on the same planet, and we’re all interested to understand how we got here and why we are here.” CosmicAI aims to host an Astro-AI meeting every year of its 5-year mission.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
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