Exploring the universe with AI
We develop artificial-intelligence, data-science and modelling tools to study the formation of stars and planets, galaxies, near-Earth space and the large datasets produced by frontier observatories.
From CIRAS to CIRAS-AI
Centre Programme
CIRAS is a Centre Programme at Universidad de Santiago de Chile. Its name stands for Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Astrophysics and Space Sciences.
A new stage
Originally created to connect astrophysics with physics, computer science and engineering, CIRAS expanded through FIU funding to integrate astrobiology, the humanities, the arts, education and the social sciences. This new stage is CIRAS-AI: the Frontier Project in Astrophysics, Artificial Intelligence, Habitability and Society.
Three connected pillars
An interdisciplinary platform to investigate, interpret and share new ways of understanding the universe and life.
Life and habitability
We investigate the limits of life, extremophile microorganisms and planetary environments by connecting astrobiology, microbiology, planetary science and computational modelling.
Technology, culture and society
We study the ethical, cultural, political and territorial implications of artificial intelligence and develop projects in education, scientific visualization, the arts and dialogue between different forms of knowledge.
Fields that converge
- Astrophysics and space sciences
- Artificial intelligence and scientific data
- Astrobiology and habitability
- Humanities, arts and society
- Education and public engagement
Chile as a natural laboratory
Chile’s exceptional skies, world-class observatories and extreme ecosystems make it possible to connect cosmic exploration with the study of life, territory and sustainability. CIRAS-AI seeks to transform this unique setting into knowledge, technological capacity and new forms of dialogue between science and society.
An interdisciplinary community
CIRAS-AI brings together researchers in astrophysics, astrobiology, physics, computer science, education, the humanities, the arts and the social sciences.
Director
Sebastián Pérez Márquez
Astrophysics
Deputy Director
Jenny Blamey Alegría
Astrobiology
Executive Deputy Director
Gabriel Ruete
Management and interdisciplinary coordination
Principal investigators
- Álvaro Rojas ArriagadaAstrophysics
- Antoine FaurePolitical science
- Carla Hernández SilvaPhysics education
- Cristóbal EspinozaAstrophysics
- Felipe Cussen AbudLiterature and humanities
- Felipe ElorrietaStatistics and data science
- Fernando RannouComputer science and artificial intelligence
- Gloria Baigorrotegui BaigorroteguiScience, technology and society studies
- Jessica Pujol DuranComparative literature
- Jorge Castillo SepúlvedaSocial psychology and STS
- Lorena B. ValderramaHistory and communication of science
- Macarena Urzúa OpazoLiterature
- Marina StepanovaSpace physics
- Miguel CárcamoAstroinformatics
- Miguel PinoTheoretical physics
- Pablo Román AsenjoComputer science
- Valentina Bulo VargasPhilosophy
- Valeria OlivaresAstrophysics
- Víctor Pinto AbarzúaSpace science
A network for frontier research
The project connects scientific, technological, social, educational and cultural expertise within and beyond Universidad de Santiago de Chile.
USACH units
- CIRAS Centre Programme
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biology
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Humanities
- Institute for Advanced Studies
- Centre for Public Communication Studies
- Planetario Chile
Partner initiatives and organizations
- YEMS Millennium Nucleus
- Fundación Astrodiálogos
- Fundación Biociencia
- Oficina de la Nada
- Grupo Po-Ex
Contact
For enquiries, collaborations and further information about CIRAS-AI:
Sebastián Pérez Márquez · Director
Gabriel Ruete · Executive Deputy Director