Creating a virtual research assistant to survey the skies

This presentation was delivered for the New Scientist "Instant Expert: Cosmology at the Cutting Edge" event on March 15th 2025. "Over the last decade, humanity has developed an unprecedented capability to monitor the night sky and track its changing features. In this talk, Heloise Stevance from the University of Oxford will discuss the creation of a virtual research assistant designed to manage the overwhelming influx of data from transient astronomical events. This AI-driven tool automates data processing, filters out noise, and prioritises significant events, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of astronomical research. She will highlight case studies and explore future advancements in AI and machine learning for astronomy."