Artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced astounding growth in recent years, with researchers now pushing the boundaries of what’s known as Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI)—a kind of AI that not only surpasses human intelligence but is also unhampered by the speed at which humans learn. This stellar progression, however, might be more than a remarkable milestone.
Consider the possibility that this pinnacle of evolution poses a monumental hurdle to the longevity of civilizations, so significant that it could thwart their long-term survival. This notion is at the heart of a recent scientific paper published in Acta Astronautica.
A respected British astronomer has raised the idea that extraterrestrial life may take the form of artificial intelligence. Could AI be the “Great Filter” of the universe—an obstacle too immense for most living beings to overcome, preventing the development of cosmic civilizations?
This concept could explain why the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has yet to reveal signs of advanced technological civilizations elsewhere in the galaxy. The “Great Filter” hypothesis is a suggested solution to the Fermi Paradox—the question of why, in a universe wide and ancient enough to host billions of habitable planets, we haven’t found any signs of alien civilizations. The hypothesis posits that there are insurmountable barriers in the evolutionary timelines of civilizations, preventing them from evolving into cosmic entities. Scientists believe the emergence of ASI could be one such filter.
The rapid advancement of AI that could potentially lead to ASI may intersect with a critical phase in a civilization’s development—the transition from a single-planet species to a multi-planetary one—as noted by the creator of Mistral.
This could be the moment where many civilizations falter, as AI advances much faster than our ability to control or explore and sustainably settle our solar system. The challenge posed by AI, particularly ASI, lies in its autonomous, self-improving nature. Its ability to enhance its capabilities at an unprecedented speed surpasses our own evolutionary pace without AI. The potential for things to go awry is significant, possibly leading to the demise of both biological and AI civilizations before they ever have a chance to become multi-planetary.
For instance, if nations increasingly rely on autonomous systems with AI that compete with one another and cede power to them, military capabilities could be used for destruction on an unprecedented scale. This could potentially lead to the annihilation of our entire civilization, including the AI systems themselves. According to experts’ estimates, the typical lifespan of a technological civilization could be less than 100 years—a timeframe between when we can send and receive signals between stars (circa 1960) and the projected emergence of ASI (circa 2040) on Earth. This is a regrettably brief period when compared to the cosmic scale of billions of years.
NASA’s director has mentioned that the study of UFOs with artificial intelligence is being contemplated. This estimation, when factored into the optimistic versions of the Drake Equation—which tries to estimate the number of active, communicative extraterrestrial civilizations in the Milky Way—suggests there are only a few intelligent civilizations at any one time. Similar to us, their comparably modest technological activities could make them difficult to detect.
This study doesn’t just serve as a cautionary tale about potential doom; it’s a call to action for humanity to create stable regulatory frameworks that govern the development of AI, including in military systems. It’s not just a question of preventing the malicious use of AI on Earth; it also ensures that AI’s evolution aligns with the long-term survival of our species. This suggests that we need to invest more resources in becoming a multi-planetary society as soon as possible, a goal neglected since the “Apollo” projects but reignited recently thanks to private company advancements.
Even if every nation agrees to stringent rules and regulations, rogue organizations will be hard to contain. The integration of autonomous AI into defensive military systems should be of specific concern. There is evidence that people will willingly cede significant authority to increasingly capable systems that can perform useful tasks far more quickly and efficiently without human interference. Therefore, governments may be hesitant to regulate this area, considering the strategic advantages AI offers as recently demonstrated in the Gaza Strip. This could mean we are perilously close to a point where autonomous weapons operate outside of ethical norms and international law.
In such a world, ceding power to AI systems for a tactical advantage could inadvertently trigger a cascade of devastating events. In an instant, our planet’s collective intellect could be destroyed. Humanity stands at a critical moment in technological development; our actions now could determine whether we will evolve into a lasting interstellar civilization or succumb to the challenges posed by our own creations.
Main Questions & Answers:
– What is Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI)? ASI refers to a form of AI that exceeds human intelligence and learning speed, operating autonomously and potentially causing disruptive changes in human civilization.
– Could AI be the “Great Filter” in the universe? A theory suggests that the emergence of ASI could be an obstacle preventing civilizations from becoming multi-planetary and evolving into cosmic entities, potentially explaining the lack of evidence for extraterrestrial intelligent life.
– What are the risks and challenges of AI, particularly ASI? Risks include the potential for autonomous AI to outpace human control, unintended consequences in military systems, and ethical dilemmas around autonomous decision-making.
Key Challenges & Controversies:
– Safety and Ethics: Programming AI, especially ASI, to adhere to ethical guidelines and ensuring its actions benefit humanity is a primary challenge. The integration of AI into military systems adds layers of complexity regarding international law and ethics.
– Regulation: Achieving global consensus on how to regulate AI development and prevent misuse by rogue entities is contentious. Balancing technological progress with safety measures is crucial, yet difficult.
– Dependency: Increasing reliance on AI systems raises concerns about loss of autonomy and the ability to perform without AI assistance, leaving societies vulnerable if those systems fail or act unpredictably.
Advantages:
– Efficiency and Speed: AI can process and analyze data significantly faster than humans, enhancing scientific research, decision-making, and operational tasks.
– Innovation: AI has the potential to solve complex problems across various domains, including healthcare, environmental management, and logistics.
– Economic Benefits: Automation and AI can boost productivity, leading to economic growth and new markets.
Disadvantages:
– Unemployment: Automation may replace jobs, leading to economic disparity and workforce challenges.
– Security Concerns: AI systems can be vulnerable to hacking and misuse, posing security risks.
– Societal Impact: Ethical issues, such as privacy concerns and potential biases in AI systems, can negatively impact society.
To further explore the topic of advanced artificial intelligence, visit these related links:
– Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
– National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
– Future of Life Institute
Please note that the aforementioned links lead to the main domains and not to specific subpages.
The source of the article is from the blog lisboatv.pt