The Cosmic Savannah - When Telescopes Think - AI and The Future of Astronomy

Hosted by Dr. Jacinta Delhaize, Dr. Tshiamiso Makwela, Dr. Daniel Cunnama & François Campher. In this episode of The Cosmic Savannah, Dan and Francois sit down with Dr. Nick Erasmus to explore the ATLAS Digital Assistant and the growing role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in astronomy. They discuss how these technologies are reshaping the modern astronomical landscape and what this means for the role of astronomers in the years ahead. Dr. Nick Erasmus, a returning guest now in his third appearance on the show, works closely with the ATLAS telescopes and leads key components of the Intelligent Observatory initiative at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). His work focuses on automating follow-up observations across telescopes, helping to streamline and modernise the observing process. Using the new ATLAS Digital Assistant as a starting point, the conversation quickly broadens into a vibrant discussion about AI in science more generally. Dan, Francois, and Nick share their perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and future directions of AI in astronomy. Join us for a timely and engaging discussion at the intersection of astronomy and cutting-edge technology! We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. Just visit: and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too! Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! This show is made possible through your donations. Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click !) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org .

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The Cosmic Savannah - When Telescopes Think - AI and The Future of Astronomy is an episode from The 365 Days of Astronomy, the daily podcast of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 by 365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

This episode is 35:14 long.

This episode was published on May 23, 2026.

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