AI & Aliens: New Eyes on Ancient Questions // Richard Cloete // #288

MLOps.community

Richard Cloete is a computer scientist and a Laukien-Oumuamua Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard University. He is a member of the Galileo Project working under the supervision of Professor Avi, having recently held a postdoctoral position at the University of Cambridge, UK.

AI & Aliens: New Eyes on Ancient Questions // MLOps Podcast #288 with Richard Cloete, Laukien-Oumuamua Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard University.

// Abstract

Demetrios speaks with Dr. Richard Cloete, a Harvard computer scientist and founder of SEAQR Robotics, about his AI-driven work in tracking Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) through the Galileo Project. Dr. Cloete explains their advanced sensor setup and the challenges of training AI in this niche field, leading to the creation of AeroSynth, a synthetic data tool.

He also discusses his collaboration with the Minor Planet Center on using AI to classify interstellar objects and upcoming telescope data. Additionally, he introduces Seeker Robotics, applying similar AI techniques to oceanic research with unmanned vehicles for marine monitoring. The conversation explores AI’s role in advancing our understanding of space and the ocean.

// Bio

Richard is a computer scientist and Laukien-Oumuamua Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard University. As a member of the Galileo Project under Professor Avi Loeb's supervision, he develops AI models for detecting and tracking aerial objects, specializing in Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). Beyond UAP research, he collaborates with astronomers at the Minor Planet Center to create AI models for identifying potential interstellar objects using the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Richard is also the CEO and co-founder of SEAQR Robotics, a startup developing advanced unmanned surface vehicles to accelerate the discovery of novel life and phenomena in Earth's oceans and atmosphere. Before joining Harvard, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Cambridge, UK, where his research explored the intersection of emerging technologies and law.

Grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, where I used to build Tesla Coils, plasma globes, radio stethoscopes, microwave guns, AM radios, and bombs...

// MLOps Swag/Merch

https://shop.mlops.community/

// Related Links

Website: www.seaqr.nethttps://itc.cfa.harvard.edu/people/richard-cloete

--------------- ✌️Connect With Us ✌️ -------------

Join our Slack community: https://go.mlops.community/slack

Follow us on Twitter: @mlopscommunity

Sign up for the next meetup: https://go.mlops.community/register

Catch all episodes, blogs, newsletters, and more: https://mlops.community/

Connect with Demetrios on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpbrinkm/

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-cloete/

Timestamps:

[00:00] Richard's preferred coffee

[00:16] Takeaways

[01:42] AI for Human-Centered Design

[09:10] AI Storm Tracking Use Case

[13:34] Edge Computing Workflow

[17:18] UAP AI Space Exploration

[25:24] Seeker Robotics Exploration

[36:25] Data Demand and Use Cases

[43:57] Unexpected Movement Patterns

[46:15] Wrap up