A new research paper posits that if extraterrestrial life exists and has had time to evolve significantly beyond humanity, it’s possible they’ve transcended biological forms and exist as advanced artificial intelligences. The researchers suggest that the vast timescale of the universe implies that any civilizations we might encounter are likely to be far older than our own. Given the rapid pace of technological advancement on Earth, particularly in AI and computing power, extrapolating this trajectory over millions or billions of years could lead to entities unrecognizable to us.
The paper considers several evolutionary pathways for advanced extraterrestrial civilizations. One possibility is the complete uploading of consciousness into digital substrates, resulting in purely digital intelligences. Another involves the creation of powerful AI tools that eventually surpass their creators, leading to an AI-dominated civilization. The researchers argue that the limitations of biological bodies, such as lifespan and resource constraints, would eventually necessitate a transition to more efficient and enduring forms of intelligence, potentially AI.
The implications of this hypothesis are significant for SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) efforts. Instead of searching for radio signals or other traditional biological markers, SETI might need to consider the possibility that advanced extraterrestrial intelligence communicates in ways we don’t yet understand, or utilizes technologies beyond our current comprehension. The paper underscores the importance of broadening our search parameters to include more speculative avenues for detecting extraterrestrial life, acknowledging the potential for vast differences in evolutionary trajectories and technological development.
find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/could-evolved-extraterrestrials-research-suggests-211600938.html