Fear robots, not aliens: Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku predicts ET contact

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Fear robots, not aliens: Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku predicts ET contact

 

Theoretical physicist and futurist Michio Kaku believes that humans will make contact with alien civilization this century, but expects they will be largely peaceful – unlike robots, which pose a greater threat to humanity.

 

Kaku made the revelations during a Reddit AMA (Ask me Anything), where intrigued users asked questions relating to artificial intelligence and extraterrestrial life. “Let me stick my neck out. I personally feel is that within this century, we will make contact with an alien civilization, by listening in on their radio communications,” Kaku stated, adding that he expects they will see us like we see forest animals.

 

“And what are their intentions. Are they expansive and aggressive, or peaceful. Another possibility is that they land on the White House lawn and announce their existence. But I think that is unlikely, since we would be like forest animals to them, i.e. not worth communicating with.”

 

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“But for the most part, I think they will be peaceful, but view us like we view forest animals,” he concluded.

 

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In contrast, Kaku suggested that robots will need chips implanted in their brains to control any “murderous thoughts.”Envisaging their future development, the scientist predicts that their intelligence level will go from that of a bug to a level on par with that of a monkey. “By that point they might become dangerous and even replace humans, near the end of the century. So I think we should put a chip in their brain to shut them off if they have murderous thoughts.”

 

Ultimately, humans may have to accept their fate and merge with their robot overlords, according to Kaku. “But what happens centuries from now, when robots evade even our most sophisticated fail-safe system?? At that point, I think we should merge with them."

 

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World-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking holds similar fears about the future of AI, warning that one day robots could entirely edge out human beings and become a new life form.

 

Cool stuff.

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Humans should avoid aliens at all costs, famed physicist says

 

Commentary: Michio Kaku says that if extraterrestrials are smart, talking to us would be like us talking to squirrels.