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How AI Dr. Works
The system runs on Google Cloud’s Vertex AI and leverages open-source large language models such as Llama 3 and Mistral-3 Small. Importantly, NASA owns all the source code — ensuring long-term independence from commercial licensing issues.
The model has already been tested against a set of common conditions, earning a 74% accuracy rate for flank pain, 80% for ear pain, and 88% for ankle injuries when reviewed by a panel that included a physician-astronaut.
“This is not just a chatbot,” a Google spokesperson told TechCrunch. “It’s a situationally aware, space-medicine-trained assistant.”
Artemis Program and the Road to Mars
The CMO-DA is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a permanent lunar base before advancing to Mars. Incremental upgrades are planned, including more device integrations and training the AI to detect space-specific health risks, such as microgravity-induced changes to the human body.
Challenges and Earth-Based Potential
Despite strong test results, NASA warns of hurdles, including:
- Lack of trust in AI tools.
- Limited data on space-specific medical conditions.
While Apple is also working on an AI-powered health revamp, Google has not committed to pursuing regulatory clearance for Earth-based clinical use of CMO-DA. Still, experts say it could one day assist in remote or underserved areas on Earth — if it clears rigorous safety standards.
