Could Artificial Intelligence Help Detect Alien Life Forms? New Study Says “Yes”

 

Researchers at Plymouth University in the United Kingdom recently disclosed their latest research. They are working on training artificial neural networks (ANNs) to utilize artificial intelligence and make predictions on the likelihood of life existing in other parts of the universe as well. This new study is the latest part of the search for alien life forms.

Using artificial intelligence (AI) allowed the researchers to review intricate patterns that the human brain may not readily identify. Their current findings were presented on April 4th at the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science (EWASS) in Liverpool.

The researchers trained the ANNs to look at five base example categories of planets and satellites. These were present-day Earth, early Earth, Venus, Mars, and Saturn’s moon, Titan. The team incorporated hundreds of data points from these five categories into the AI to build the initially used profiles.

After this primary build, the researchers presented the AI with profiles of other planets. They did this so that the AI could detect alien life forms or make a prediction regarding the probability of there being any. With the information thus provided, the algorithms appeared to perform well in predicting the likelihood of life.

Based on this, scientists are hopeful that this technique could start being used in analyzing new planets. In doing so, it might aid in pinpointing future research efforts.

While fascinating, the assumptions underlying this research are based on the idea that life only exists in conditions similar to those on Earth and other planets and satellites within our solar system.

This technology is useful in creating parameters for AI to extrapolate from. Nonetheless, this also exposes a weak point in the study. Even with this argument, this latest research could still be helpful.

This might aim researchers towards planets and satellites which present high probabilities of being able to hold life. While not discovered yet, there might allegedly exist alien life forms in other areas of the universe, and this research could aid in narrowing down the scope of study.