Produced by: Tarun Mishra
The quest for extraterrestrial life receives a boost as Bill Diamond, CEO of the Seti Institute, reveals that there are potentially 10 to 50 billion habitable worlds in our galaxy, presenting a formidable challenge for researchers.
Seti, an acronym for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, endeavours to detect signs of life and intelligence beyond our solar system. However, this pursuit is akin to finding a needle in a haystack due to the rarity of such phenomena.
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the search for alien intelligence by enhancing the capability to handle vast datasets and identify anomalies.
Seti Institute collaborates with institutions like the National Radio Astronomy Observatory to harness the power of AI. A significant initiative involves developing AI-powered software for the Very Large Array in New Mexico, enabling the processing of massive data volumes captured by the observatory's radio frequencies.
With the aid of AI, the observatory's software can process an astounding two terabytes of data per second, facilitating comprehensive analysis of celestial phenomena.
AI facilitates the exploration of new types of radio signals potentially emitted by advanced extraterrestrial civilizations, broadening the search parameters beyond traditional methods.
Another collaborative effort, the Breakthrough Listen project, funded by private sector investment, aims to scan a million stars and 100 galaxies for evidence of technological life using AI-enhanced analysis techniques.
Nasa's Perseverance rover, equipped with AI-enabled instruments, explores the Jezero Crater on Mars, detecting organic compounds that may hint at past or present life. Additionally, AI is employed by the Carnegie Institution for Science to analyse rock samples for molecular biosignatures, offering promising avenues for future exploration missions.