The British astrophysicist Lord Martin Rees proposes an interesting hypothesis to answer the Fermi paradox, which questions the absence of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations despite the high likelihood of their existence. According to him, humans may gradually be replaced by artificial intelligences (AI), such that the existence of organic beings like us could be considered anecdotal on a universal scale. The most advanced forms of life would then take on a completely different appearance, probably that of machines equipped with AI.
The growing superiority of AIs over humans
Today, we are already witnessing an overtaking of human intelligence by artificial intelligences in several areas. Attempts to regulate and control this power are emerging here and there, while others warn against the dangers posed by these technologies. However, according to Martin Rees, it is important to realize that the limits imposed on our brains do not apply to AIs, which have almost unlimited potential.
The anthropocentric approach to extraterrestrial research
Until now, we have tended to search for life forms similar to ours in the universe, imagining that they rely on a biology close to that which we know. However, this anthropocentric approach could prevent us from perceiving other types of intelligences, based for example on technologies rather than organic organisms.
Toward an inevitable replacement of humans by machines?
Given these considerations, it makes sense that Professor Rees seriously envisions the possibility of a gradual replacement of the human species by more advanced forms of artificial intelligence that are less dependent on environmental constraints. This process would thus perfectly fit within the continuity of Darwinian evolution, resulting in the disappearance of our species in favor of a non-organic form of intelligence.
The transitional state of humanity in the face of AIs
Taking this idea to its extreme, Lord Rees sees the inevitable domination of machines as making us transitional beings, quickly replaced by these new intelligences and relegated to a mere memory of the history of evolution. Our current human condition could even be forgotten by these future intelligences, which would then have little reason to reflect on their organic past.
The positive message behind this vision of the future
While it is true that this idea may seem depressing for our ego, it nevertheless conveys an optimistic message about the survival of intelligence in the universe. If humans must disappear in favor of more efficient machines better adapted to extraterrestrial conditions, it also means that the spirit of innovation and progress will continue to govern our galaxy, well beyond our simple organic existence.
A necessary perspective
It is clear that we are still at the beginning of these reflections and that many questions remain regarding the consequences of such a domination of artificial intelligence on our lives and those of potential extraterrestrial civilizations. However, it is essential to keep an open mind to different possible scenarios in order to better understand our place in the cosmos and to prepare for the future that lies ahead of us.
According to Lord Martin Rees, former astronomer royal and former president of the Royal Society, it is highly likely that the human species is destined to be replaced by highly evolved artificial intelligences capable of breaking free from the limits that hinder our current existence. Far from our resignation to this prospect, we should instead become aware of the opportunities and challenges represented by this new era to better adapt our extraterrestrial research, but also to envision from today the future towards which we are heading.
