Today we discuss the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into space exploration, focusing particularly on the vision of AI astronauts and their role in future Mars missions. We review the current state of AI use, including in robotics, autonomous navigation, decision support, data processing, and onboard diagnostics, citing examples from major space agencies like NASA, ESA, and JAXA, as well as private companies like SpaceX. We will report outlines of the projected scenarios for Mars exploration in the 2030s and 2040s, anticipating initial robotic groundwork followed by human missions heavily supported by pAI-powered systems. Finally, we examine the advantages (increased efficiency, safety, autonomy in communication delays) and significant challenges (reliability, ethical considerations, limited resources) associated with deploying AI in deep space, highlighting the need for robust testing, ethical guidelines, and human-AI teamwork.