UCLA’s Assistant Professor Baharan Mirzasoleiman is leading the university’s efforts in the NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (NSF-Simons CosmicAI). This $20 million, five-year collaboration, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Simons Foundation, seeks to transform astronomical research by using AI to process massive amounts of cosmic data. Partners include the University of Texas at Austin, NSF NOIRLab, and other leading institutions.
Mirzasoleiman, an expert in machine learning from large-scale datasets, will develop advanced algorithms to train models capable of processing the immense volume of astronomical data from telescopes. “Our goal is to develop efficient algorithms that can extract valuable insights from this vast data, particularly telescope imagery and their accompanying text descriptions,” Professor Mirzasoleiman said. “The sheer size of the data makes traditional methods insufficient. By training a multimodal (image-language) foundation model, we aim to answer scientific questions in natural language based on visual data.”
This project is expected to democratize access to astronomical data and analysis, making it easier for scientists and researchers across the country to engage with complex astronomical phenomena, such as the chemical processes that occur within stars. The AI-driven assistant developed by CosmicAI will allow users to pose queries in natural language and receive accurate, data-driven responses based on telescope imagery and simulations.
In addition to research, CosmicAI aspires to foster education and training for early-career researchers, students, and the broader public. The institute plans to conduct outreach activities, including summer schools for high school students and teachers, and to develop online courses that will help train the next generation of AI-literate scientists in astronomy. By combining expertise across machine learning, astronomy, mathematics, and other fields, CosmicAI aims to accelerate discoveries and broaden access to advanced astronomical tools.