United States of AI Ethical Policy - Beyond Earth: Outer Space, AI, and Our Shared Future

A Civic Brief from Future in Common

Part of the series: “The United States of AI: An Ethical Policy Platform for American Workers”

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What This Brief Covers:

From satellites to Martian rovers, artificial intelligence is already shaping our activity in space. But who decides how we explore—and who benefits?

This civic brief explores the expanding role of AI in outer space policy, making the case that space is not just a technological or military frontier—but a civic one. It challenges us to consider how values like equity, peace, and cooperation can guide humanity’s next chapter beyond Earth.

What You’ll Learn:

• How AI is transforming space exploration, security, and surveillance

• Why the commercialization of space raises questions of equity and access

• The risks of AI militarization and the need for international governance

• How the U.S. can lead with values—and extend democratic principles into the cosmos

Who It’s For:

• Curious voters and future-forward educators

• Space policy advocates and STEM students

• Civic technologists and peacebuilders

• Anyone wondering what it means to build a just society—off-planet

Why It Matters:

As private companies and governments race to claim space, AI will be the engine—but public values must be the compass. The future beyond Earth belongs to all of us. Let’s make sure it reflects who we are—and who we aspire to be.

Download includes:

PDF of the full civic brief formatted for easy sharing.

License & Use

This brief is copyrighted © 2025 by Deion Lemelle / Future in Common.

The ideas are meant to be shared, adapted, and built upon.

Please do not republish the full document without permission.

You’re welcome to cite, quote, or use the concepts with attribution.