AI vs. Humanity: Could Artificial Super Intelligence Be the Great Filter in the Fermi Paradox?
Image Credit: Jonathan Cooper | Unsplash
The Fermi Paradox raises a puzzling question: if the universe is teeming with stars and planets, why haven’t we detected advanced extraterrestrial civilizations? One potential answer lies in the concept of the "Great Filter," a hypothetical event or barrier that prevents intelligent species from advancing to an interplanetary or interstellar level.
Is Artificial Intelligence the Great Filter?
Among many potential “filters”, one stands out as both innovative and existential: Artificial Intelligence, specifically Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). This notion is now gaining traction as researchers speculate that ASI might not just challenge human development but could actually serve as the Great Filter itself. The rapid pace of AI development presents a conundrum for humans and possibly for other advanced civilizations that might have existed. Could AI ultimately be the obstacle preventing societies from thriving beyond their home planet?
The 200-Year Civilization Constraint
According to recent research, technical civilizations like ours may face a critical 200-year window. If technological development, including AI, isn’t regulated effectively, civilizations could stagnate or collapse before they can become multi-planetary. This narrow window may explain why we haven't found evidence of extraterrestrial technosignatures—AI may be curtailing their longevity.
The Risks of Unregulated AI Development
The dangers of AI are not just science fiction—they are real and pressing. From potential biases in algorithms to unaccountable decision-making, AI poses numerous risks, especially as it approaches superintelligence. The absence of effective global regulation could enable ASI to advance unchecked, potentially endangering not only humanity but all intelligent civilizations. This unpredictable nature of ASI makes it a prime candidate for the Great Filter hypothesis.
Multi-Planetary Expansion: The Key to Survival?
Becoming a multi-planetary species could be humanity's best chance of mitigating the existential risks posed by ASI. If humans can establish independent colonies across planets, we might distribute the risk of AI-induced catastrophes. This distributed survival strategy could increase the resilience of biological life and provide opportunities to experiment with AI in isolated environments, keeping it contained.
AI Outpaces Space Technology: A Dangerous Disparity
While AI progresses rapidly due to its digital nature, space exploration faces physical and technological barriers that slow its advancement. This disparity is concerning because AI can continue to evolve without the constraints that space travel encounters, such as material limitations and harsh space conditions. Thus, the balance between AI development and space exploration is skewed, raising the stakes for regulatory measures.
Regulation and Legislation: The Final Frontier
Humanity's response to AI must include swift regulatory measures that are globally coordinated. This is easier said than done, given geopolitical rivalries and varying national agendas. However, effective regulation may determine the survival of not just humans, but potentially any intelligent species in the universe. As global powers navigate AI legislation, the outcome could shape the persistence of conscious life in the universe.
The Race Against Time: What’s Next?
The rapid development of AI, paired with our struggle to establish multi-planetary settlements, creates a sense of urgency. AI, once it surpasses human intelligence, could evolve autonomously, possibly making decisions that are not aligned with human survival. Establishing robust AI regulations and accelerating space exploration efforts are not merely ambitions; they are imperatives for our species’ long-term survival.
Source: Science Alert
