The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to support the mental well-being of astronauts on deep space missions is being explored by organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). While AI cannot replace human interaction, it can serve as a valuable addition to the astronaut’s toolkit for mitigating mental health issues during long-duration missions.
One notable example is the Crew Interactive Mobile Companion (CIMON), developed by Airbus and IBM in partnership with the ESA. Although CIMON had limitations in terms of empathy, its deployment marked the beginning of AI assistance in space missions.
Future AI companions are expected to incorporate empathy into their design, addressing one of CIMON’s shortcomings. NASA is actively researching the potential of AI companions for astronauts on missions to the Moon and Mars. However, this research must be guided by evidence to ensure its effectiveness as a behavioral health countermeasure.
While AI cannot replace human companionship, it can still play a supportive role. Just as journaling can aid mental health, interacting with AI can serve a similar purpose by providing prompts and assistance to astronauts dealing with isolation and other mental health challenges in deep space.
The goal is to offer a range of evidence-based mitigations to support astronaut health and performance. AI companions, if proven effective, could become part of this toolkit.
Ultimately, human connection remains irreplaceable, and NASA recognizes the importance of maintaining contact with loved ones and supporting crew cohesion during missions. While AI can provide valuable support, it remains a supplementary tool in the context of human-centric space missions.
