Episode summary
How is NASA using AI to accelerate engineering, CAD, simulation and space missions? Ryan McClelland, AI Infusion Lead at NASA Goddard, joins Michael Finocchiaro at IMTS 2026 to separate practical engineering AI from hype.
Episode Summary
How is NASA using AI to accelerate engineering, CAD, simulation and space missions? Ryan McClelland, AI Infusion Lead at NASA Goddard, joins Michael Finocchiaro at IMTS 2026 to separate practical engineering AI from hype.
They discuss text-to-CAD, AI agents that orchestrate design and simulation, NASA’s work with startups through SBIR, the bits-to-atoms barrier, Mars missions, and the skills young engineers need as AI changes the profession.
CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction 0:17 Ryan McClelland’s role at NASA Goddard 0:49 Engineering AI before ChatGPT 1:18 AI takes over IMTS 2:30 Astra, SOLIDWORKS and text-to-CAD 3:36 When AI can operate any computer 4:50 How NASA works with technology companies 5:16 NASA’s SBIR startup program 6:26 AI, Mars and faster space missions 7:19 Science fiction—and what it misses about AI 9:56 AI orchestration for design and simulation 11:26 Engineering’s succession of AI moments 14:20 What young engineers need: curiosity 16:06 Agentic interfaces for manufacturing 17:52 The bits-to-atoms barrier 19:23 Fusion, quantum computing and AGI 21:24 Final thoughts
Recorded at IMTS 2026 in Chicago.
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#NASA #EngineeringAI #IMTS2026
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