Photo: Astronauts work alongside an artificial intelligence-enabled robotic assistant during a mission simulation in this NASA illustration. (NASA)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s College of Engineering will host internationally recognized space scientist Dr. Richard Holdaway for a Distinguished Guest Speaker event examining the impact of artificial intelligence on future space programs.
Dr. Holdaway’s presentation, “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Future Space Programs,” will take place Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, from 7–8 p.m. in the Davis Learning Center Auditorium on Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus.
Drawing on more than 50 years of experience in multinational space programs, Dr. Holdaway will explore what AI is, how it differs from expert or smart systems, and its potential benefits and risks. The talk will also address ethical considerations and highlight how AI is already shaping space science, planetary exploration, spacecraft operations, climate and Earth monitoring, and the search for signs of life beyond Earth.
Dr. Holdaway has worked on numerous space science and Earth observation missions with organizations including NASA, the European Space Agency, and international partners across Europe, Asia and beyond. He previously served as director of the United Kingdom’s National Space Laboratory, RAL Space, and is currently chairman of Stratospheric Platforms Ltd. He is a Fellow of the British Royal Academy of Engineering and was awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013 for his contributions to space science and technology.
The event is free and open to the public, and audience members will have the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session following the presentation.
For questions, contact Dr. Ron Madler, professor of aerospace engineering, at 928-777-3896 or madler@erau.edu.
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