Mario Livio (What to think about machines that think)

Mario Livio discusses the possibility of finding intelligent life on extrasolar planets, given that many such planets exist in habitable zones. He suggests that if life on Earth is not unique, the galaxy could be filled with advanced civilizations. Livio contrasts the search for extraterrestrial life with the development of AI, noting that AI has the advantage of potential profitability, while the search for life depends on public funding. He argues that both quests are driven by human curiosity and will continue. Livio concludes that while AI will have immediate impacts, discovering intelligent extraterrestrial life would have profound philosophical implications, challenging humanity’s sense of uniqueness and potentially rivaling the Copernican and Darwinian revolutions.

"A gilded No is more satisfactory than a dry yes" - Gracian