Send AI to space to spill human secrets to the aliens, scientists urge — but is it worth the risk?

Scientists Propose Bold New Approach to Alien Contact

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence has been ongoing for decades, yet we've yet to make contact. Now, a radical new proposal suggests that artificial intelligence might be the key.

"After decades of searching, we've found no evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence, and our messages remain unanswered," stated Frank Marchis and Ignacio G. López-Francos, researchers at the SETI Institute and NASA, respectively. "It may be time to rethink our approach."

Their suggestion is to send a sophisticated language model, similar to ChatGPT, into space. This AI could interact with extraterrestrial civilizations, learning about their culture, language, and technology. The researchers believe this would be a more effective way to communicate than traditional radio signals, which could be misunderstood or misinterpreted.

However, this approach is not without its risks. If an advanced alien civilization were to intercept the AI, they could potentially use it against us. The researchers acknowledge this possibility but argue that the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

"This is a radical and potentially risky idea," they wrote. "Nevertheless, it's a discussion worth starting, given recent discoveries."

The proposal has sparked debate among scientists and the public. Some argue that it's a long shot, while others believe it could be a game-changer. Regardless of the outcome, the idea highlights the ongoing search for answers to one of humanity's most enduring questions: Are we alone in the universe?

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