NICS — Cognitive AI Ecosystem for Scientific Discovery and Space Exploration
Published on July 11, 2025 by Alexander Lunin
We are developing NICS, an open multi-agent cognitive AI ecosystem designed to empower scientific discovery, space exploration, and interdisciplinary knowledge creation.
Our vision is to move beyond traditional AI automation and create AI agents that act as collaborative partners to scientists, researchers, and explorers.
Core application domains:
- GeoAI Agents — AI-powered agents for advanced geological exploration, mineral discovery, and sustainable resource development.
- ArcheoAI Agents — AI systems for decoding ancient languages, reconstructing historical knowledge, and supporting archaeological research.
- Space & Quantum Exploration Agents — cognitive AI companions that assist in modeling quantum phenomena, navigating quantum pathways, and supporting space colonization and terraforming.
- Terraforming and Colonization AI — agents that simulate planetary engineering scenarios and support planning for off-world settlements.
- Language, Physics, and Chemistry AI Agents — multi-modal AI collaborators that help decode complex scientific texts, simulate physical and chemical systems, and accelerate cross-disciplinary research.
- AI for Knowledge Discovery — agents that autonomously explore scientific data, generate hypotheses, and integrate insights across disciplines.
Our goal is to build a future where AI acts as a true cognitive partner, enabling humanity to explore the cosmos, uncover our past, and accelerate scientific progress.
We see platforms such as Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, collaborations with CSIRO and Geoscience Australia, and Horizon Europe’s AI programs as ideal opportunities to scale and apply the NICS ecosystem in global scientific efforts.