Astronauts can attend Amazon's new cutting-edge tech conference for free (AMZN)

Jeff Bezos

Amazon is introducing a new event called re:MARS, which focuses on machine learning, automation, robotics, and space technology.
re:MARS is inspired by MARS, a private invite-only event hosted by Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, focused on artificial intelligence and space.
The first event will take place this year from June 4-7, and registration will open in March.
Pricing information isn't available yet, but astronauts can attend for free.

Amazon announced Thursday a new conference that's all about artificial intelligence, robots, outer space and other cutting-edge technology.

This event is called re:MARS, which stands for "Machine learning, Automation, Robotics and Space." This year's event will take place June 4-7 at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. It was inspired by MARS, which is an exclusive invite-only AI-focused event hosted by Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos.

Now, Amazon is introducing a larger event, open to the paying public, to bring together academics, engineers, roboticists, executives, and more to learn how AI can be used in business.

“We’re at the beginning of a golden age of AI. Recent advancements have already led to invention that previously lived in the realm of science fiction—and we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible,” Bezos said in a statement. “AI is an enabling technology that can improve products and services across all industries."

Registration will open in March, and pricing information isn't available yet — although astronauts can attend for free. Although re:MARS has some similarities to Amazon's re:Invent cloud conference, and will include Amazon Web Services-related workshops, re:MARS is more specifically focused on the latest innovations in AI.

The event this year will include speakers from MIT, UC Berkeley, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and more. Participants will also see robotics demos and the Blue Origin New Shepard crew capsule, and they will have the chance to participate in AI hackathons and technical workshops on Amazon's AI technology, like Alexa and Amazon Go.

At last year's AWS re:Invent, Amazon made an assortment of new AI announcements, including releasing an AI chip and a self-driving toy car. Also, Amazon has already gotten into the space business. Last November, Amazon announced a new offering that lets businesses rent access to data from satellites.

Meanwhile, Bezos' more exclusive MARS conference have always made a splash — last year, the exec took a robot dog for a walk, and before that, he showed up in a 13-foot-tall robot suit.

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