“The Use of Machine Learning in Planetary Sciences:
Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks”
Europlanet SPace Innovation Night (E-SPIN) 2025
Tuesday, 9th September 2025, from 19:30 to 21:00 EEST discussion,
followed by 21:00-22:00 EEST Networking reception.
Over the past few years, several industry and policy events organised by Europlanet have highlighted the challenge of attracting and engaging academics in productive exchanges with industry and policy professionals. To foster interactions, connections and potential collaborations among diverse Europlanet communities at all career levels, we are continuing the E-SPIN thematic events that were launched last year in Berlin. In 2025 the E-SPIN event, will take place during the EPSC-DPS in Helsinki and will focus on the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches in planetary science.
The theme for this 2025 edition is: “The Use of Machine Learning in Planetary Sciences: Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks.”
The event will begin with a moderated panel discussion and a Q&A session with the audience. Following the discussion, a networking reception will provide further opportunity for informal exchange among participants and panelists.
The objectives of this year’s thematic debate are as follows:
- Explore how machine learning is transforming research in planetary sciences and identify key opportunities for innovation;
- Analyse the technical, ethical, and legal challenges that come with applying AI methods to scientific data;
Discuss the role of European institutions, policymakers, and space agencies in guiding the responsible and strategic use of AI in space research; - Investigate how academia, industry, and governmental bodies can collaborate effectively on AI-driven missions and data analysis;
- Consider the potential of machine learning for outreach, education, and public engagement in planetary sciences.
Our invited panelists will offer unique perspectives and insights to foster an engaging discussion and encourage the development of cross-community interactions. Our panelts are Ms Victoria Da Poian (NASA Goddard, USA), Mr Olli Eloranta (Kuva Space, Finland), Dr Joern Helbert (ESA-ESTEC, The Netherlands), Dr Tomas Kohout (Aalto University, Finland), and Ms Nimisha Verma (DLR-Berlin, Germany, and EPEC Co-Chair). Dr Stavro Ivanovski (INAF-Trieste, Italy, and Europlanet Vice-President) and Dr Luca Montabone (Paneureka/LMD, France, and Europlanet Executive Board Member) will moderate the discussion.
In conclusion, this E-SPIN thematic debate aims to strengthen interdisciplinary and cross-sector dialogue within the Europlanet community on the use of artificial intelligence in planetary sciences. By highlighting both the transformative potential and the critical concerns of machine learning, the event will support more inclusive, responsible, and collaborative approaches to space research and innovation.
Event Highlights:
- What: Moderated Panel Discussion on this year’s theme, with in-person and online audience participation, followed by a networking reception (in-person only).
- When: Tuesday, 9th September 2025, from 19:30 to 21:00 CEST discussion, followed by 21:00-22:00 Networking reception.
- Where: “Uranus – Helsinki Hall”, 2nd floor of Finlandia Hall
- Who: Open to all EPSC-DPS registrants (in-person and online) for free.
Conveners:
Luca Montabone (Paneureka and LMD, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France), Stavro Ivanovski (INAF, Trieste, Italy), Didier Moreau (BIRA-IASB, Brussels, Belgium), Livia Giacomini (INAF, Rome, Italy), Frank Sohl (DLR, Berlin, Germany)
For further information: visit the E-SPIN website
or contact Luca Montabone at lmontabone@paneureka.org
