AI and the Future of Exploration: From Your Backyard to Outer Space


This week's news highlights a fascinating convergence: the increasing role of artificial intelligence in how we explore and experience the world around us, both near and far. From AI-powered travel guides and personalized flight booking to advanced tools for wildlife monitoring and even the creation of AI art museums, technology is reshaping our understanding and interaction with our planet and beyond. Discover how new innovations like Garmin's satellite communicator are enhancing off-grid adventures, while AI is simultaneously optimizing air travel and helping us track changes in our global climate. Whether you're planning your next vacation or pondering the future of space exploration, these stories offer a glimpse into a world where AI is becoming an indispensable partner in discovery

Garmin's newest satellite communicator lets you share photos and voice notes too
Garmin's inReach Messenger Plus offers more ways to stay in touch on your off-grid adventures - in case of emergency or just for fun. Here's how it works.
Nine travel influencers on Instagram to help plan your next adventure
Executing a good vacation takes time, effort, and, ultimately, a whole lot of luck. Of course, there are some issues associated with the industry, including environmental impact and a heightened focus on consumerism, but when you're in the research phase of a new trip, you might want to find some influencers to take you along for the ride. ...
5 ways AI is changing the future of air travel
This airport group is using AI to boost airport efficiency and passenger experiences - and there are important lessons for all professionals exploring emerging technology.
Google Flights' new 'Cheapest' tab helps you find the best airfare deals - creatively
Have you booked your holiday travel yet? Google's new feature, rolling out now, promises to help you get cheaper plane tickets in 'creative' ways. Here's how.
What is an AI art museum? The world will soon find out.
If AI needs a publicist, Refik Anadol wouldn’t be a bad candidate. The Turkish-born professor and artist sees artificial intelligence as a boon to the world, not just through greater efficiency and scientific advances, but as a new conduit to create beauty. His newest project, along with co-founder Efsun Erkılıç, is Dataland, a 20,000 square foot museum...
Google Maps will now let you search your saved locations
You can now search your saved lists and locations in Google Maps, which might be just the tool you need to find that one cool spot you bookmarked weeks ago. As spotted by 9to5Google, Google's handy "Saved" feature now lets you search, which means you can parse through webpages you bookmarked, Discover tabs, and locations you saved in Maps. So if you've...
Inspired by Japanese capsule hotels, Finland to see first micro-room lodging in Tampere
Once it opens in May, accommodation in a five-square-metre room will cost between 39 and 100 euros per night.
Your Personal AI Travel Guide
Imagine wandering through a city with your very own AI travel guide, ready to reveal the stories behind every landmark, monument, or hidden gem you encounter. With Google’s Talking Tours, this vision takes a significant step closer to becoming a reality.Google Talking Tours offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of AI-driven travel guidance. Developed...
NASA spotted a big asteroid that may hit Earth — what you should know
It's actually good news that NASA spotted a sizable asteroid with a (small) chance of hitting Earth in 2032.It means our asteroid-sleuthing telescopes are working."These things come through on a regular basis," Jason Steffen, an astronomer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told Mashable. "The fact that we're seeing something around a decade into...
Google Maps has changed the Gulf of Mexico to America
Google has officially updated Maps to label the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," following U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order renaming the sea. Fortunately, the tech giant is also retaining the gulf's internationally recognised name which it has held since at least 1552 — at least, for non-American users.Late last month, Google confirmed...
Get the best deals and stress-free planning with AI travel assistance
You’ve spent ages dreaming about your getaway plans this year — but finding affordable flights? That’s a headache waiting to happen. Luckily, OneAir AI Travel makes it easier to book smarter and stress less while saving big. Grab this low price before February 17 ends on an Elite Plan before its price increases again — just $49.99 with promo code FLY50.With...
Space calendar 2025: Here are the moments you wont want to miss
Though 2025 won't mark the return of astronauts into deep space as NASA had hoped, launchpads still will be scorching-hot from a procession of robotic spacecraft attempting to land on the moon. How many of these moon landings will succeed? Will the number top the two-ish (one of which made a heckuva comeback) last year? Giant commercial rockets, such...
Google released an AI model to identify wildlife species
Google released a new AI tool this week, designed to identify animal species to help with wildlife monitoring.On Monday, the tech giant announced the release of SpeciesNet, an open source model for wildlife biologists. SpeciesNet consists of a model for identifying objects in footage from cameras that monitor wildlife and a second model for classifying...
NASA dropped a new report. Its a wake-up call.
Consequences, they say, collect in low places. A new NASA analysis, using data collected from different specialized satellites, reports that sea levels rose more than expected in 2024. But as any earth scientist will emphasize, the data in any particular year isn't nearly as important as the long-term trend. And the agency's analysis shows that global...
Finally, a GPS tracker with unlimited battery life and high-accuracy location tracking
Garmin's eTrex Solar GPS tracker delivers impressive battery life, broad GNSS coverage, and a budget-friendly price tag.
This high-tech exoskeleton lets you hike longer and run faster
Every weekend warrior knows the drill — you sit in front of a computer all week, and when the weekend hits, you bike, hike, and run yourself ragged. Your body feels destroyed on Monday. Repeat.If this sounds like you — or even if you’re a casual exerciser who wants to walk and bike longer distances without getting tired — the future has arrived. The...
When is the best time to book your flight? Google just spilled all the airfare secrets
Google Flights analyzed four years of airfare data, providing insights on finding the cheapest flights and the best days to book.

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