Thomas Graham is a PhD student at Swinburne University of Technology, where he is designing and validating a regulatory framework to ensure artificial intelligence systems being deployed in space are responsible and ethical. He has previously worked for Melbourne Space Program in regulation and compliance, and co-hosted SATLA’s 2021 space law event The Final Frontier. In Part One of this interview, we talk to Tom about his research, resources available to JD students interested in space law, and what it’s like to work at the intersection of science, technology and the law.

Q: Can you share a bit more about your research and why you chose to look at the ethical implications of AI use in space? 

TG: During the JD, for my legal research topic, I wrote my paper on artificial intelligence regulation, looking at what regulatory elements are needed to ensure AI systems are ‘ethical’ and avoid causing harm to those who come into contact with them. It wasn’t an area that I’d thought about before, but I found it incredibly interesting. Later I took the Melbourne Law Masters subject ‘Space, High Seas, Seabed, and Antarctic Law’ where I focused on Space Law, writing my paper on the issue of regulating space debris management and mitigation.

As I was writing this paper, I heard through my colleagues at the Melbourne Space Program that a PhD position was being advertised at Swinburne for the topic of Responsible AI in Space. The topic seemed like a perfect position for me given my interests and experience, so I applied as soon as it opened, and was fortunate enough to be selected for the position.

My PhD research aims to look into the applications of AI in outer space, what implications they have, and then designing a regulatory framework based on the needs of consumers, industry, and government to ensure that the AI systems in question are being developed and deployed in a responsible, ethical, and sustainable way. I want the framework I create to provide protection for individuals, but also guidance to industry so that organizations can create AI systems with the confidence that they are following world leading standards and won’t cause unintended harm.

Q: What are the major concerns posed by AI systems in space? Why are regulations required?

TG: Concerns surrounding artificial intelligence in space range from the seemingly mundane, to the exotic.

On the seemingly ‘boring’ side, there are data considerations for satellites. Satellites, especially Earth observation satellites, require a lot of data to be transmitted from the satellites down to Earth to complete their tasks. AI systems can reduce the size of transmissions needed by compressing data and selectively choosing which pieces of data to transmit (such as detecting clouds in images that are captured and automatically discarding them, without sending that data back down to Earth). This can bring down the cost of operating satellites dramatically by reducing the required data transmission capacity and consequently the duration of timeslots that satellite operators need to pay for on ground stations.

The concern is that if the AI systems are not accurate, operators could lose valuable data, or even create inaccuracies in the data transmitted that could go on to cause issues later. This could happen if for instance the data was used for precision navigation and mapping applications, or if it is used for national security purposes where extreme accuracy is needed for operators to assess a particular situation.

At the exotic end of the spectrum, there could be huge implications for AI systems being integrated into space-based weapons platforms. If an AI system could be easily fooled or hacked by an adversary, could it be possible that the systems could misfire, or even be turned against their owners?

Whilst this sounds extreme, and possibly farfetched, the devastating impacts of orbital weapons systems warrants mitigation against even the slightest risk of malfunction.

Q: Having previously completed a Bachelor of Science (BS, Physics) and Juris Doctor, you’re well and truly at the intersection of science, technology and the law. Why are you interested in working at this convergent point?

TG: For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated with space and science. I studied maths and sciences through high school before completing a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physics. I was accepted into the Masters of Science program, with the astrophysics team, but I instead chose to change lanes and pursue the Juris Doctor.

When I decided to pursue the Juris Doctor over the Master of Science, it wasn’t because I wanted to ‘quit’ science or felt that I couldn’t contribute more. Rather it was because I felt I could contribute more to the field of science by working from the legal and regulatory side than directly as a physicist. From my time studying physics, I noticed there was no shortage of smart students wanting to take up Masters or PhD roles, the difficulties faced by researchers were in obtaining funding and navigating administrative hurdles. To me it seemed like they needed support to get money and cut through red tape so they could focus on their research.

I decided that I could take my passion for science and combine it with a legal education to become an advocate for the scientific community from within the legal and regulatory community. Luckily along the way that led me to working with the Melbourne Space Program, on their regulatory team, where I helped navigate complex regulatory regimes to launch their ACRUX-1 satellite in 2019, and now to my PhD position.

Q: Are there any organisations or resources you can recommend to current JD students, eager to learn more and build connections in the space law industry?

TG: During my time completing the JD, I was lucky enough to join the Melbourne Space Program on their legal/regulatory team, where we supported the various space engineering projects. They have a great network of space sector connections that can place you in a good sport to start a career in the space industry. (This is exactly the path I took.)

At MLS of course there is SATLA, who are a great group with connections all across the intersection of science and law. They’re all super passionate and willing to got the extra mile. I can attest to this from my time working with the SATLA team to organise our Space Law panel last year.

As generic as this advice sounds, LinkedIn is also a great way to find out who is in the area and what is happening. Make sure to follow people and organisations in the space sector, see what they’re talking about, go to panel events they advertise to learn more. I highly recommend the following people (including my supervisor, Alan Duffy) and organisations to stay up to date with what is happening in the Australian space sector and international space law:

• People:

  • Alan Duffy (Director of the Space Technology and Industry Institute at Swinburne)

  • Steven Freeland (Emeritus Professor of International Law at Western Sydney University, member of the advisory board to the Australian Space Agency and previous representative of Australia at UN COPUOS) 

  • Donna Lawler (Principal at Azimuth Advisory, Space Law Specialist)

• Organisations

  • International Institute of Space Law (IISL)

  • UN COPUOS

  • Australian Space Agency

  • SmartSat CRC

Learn more about space law with our recording of SATLA x Melbourne Space Law Program’s 2020 event The Final Frontier. To be the first to hear about Part Two of this interview, and to stay updated on further news and opportunities in science and technology law, become a SATLA member at satla.net/join and by follow SATLA on Facebook or LinkedIn.