IBM, a large American technology company, and NASA, the United States space agency, have created a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to help scientists study the Moon. This tool, called the NASA-IBM Lunar Foundation Model, uses computer technology to look at many years of photos and maps collected by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter over the last 17 years. The system can quickly find craters, map the surface, and help search for possible ice on the Moon.

The companies made this AI because there is too much lunar information for humans to study manually. NASA trained the system on almost two million images, including photos that show great detail. It uses these images to help scientists see important features and look for places that might have ice.

Because of this new AI tool, lunar researchers can now study the Moon much faster and in greater detail. Scientists around the world can use the system to help prepare for future Moon missions and find safe places for astronauts to land and explore next.