Will Artificial Intelligence Prevent Humanity from Going to Space and Becoming an Advanced Race?

Human beings have been constantly trying to understand and control their environment since the first mass city was established in Göbeklitepe. Ancient communities tried to understand the world and the universe through astronomy, chemistry, physics, and philosophy; and even today we can explain our universe by using the concepts found by ancient communities such as the Sumerians. Of course, with the invention of the computer and other technologies, these advances accelerated further, creating our current technology. However, perhaps one of the most important technological inventions of the 20th Century, in addition to computers and the Internet, is the invention of Artificial Intelligence. The concept of artificial intelligence, which was first put forward around 1951 by mathematician Alan Turing, who broke the Enigma code, has become one of the most important concepts of the 21st century.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

In its simplest definition, we can think of Artificial Intelligence as a technology that can perceive the data around it and interact with it when left to its own devices, without requiring an external anchor, similar to the creative structure of human intelligence. To understand whether something is truly artificial intelligence, we may need to use an inquiry called the Turing Test. In this test, the user corresponds with either artificial intelligence or a human using a keyboard without seeing each other. If the human user cannot understand that he is corresponding with artificial intelligence, then that system has passed the artificial intelligence test, that is, the Turing test, and can be called as real artificial intelligence. However, I must say right away that there is still no artificial intelligence system that can fully pass the Turing test. However, many scientists working on artificial intelligence say that this test can be passed in the near future and that systems called super artificial intelligence, which can understand their environment without editing and interact without being tied to any program, may emerge at any time.

However, some scientists have thought that while artificial intelligence can make the future of humanity easier, it can also make it difficult and even endanger it. The rapid development of artificial intelligence has led to some concerns about the future of science and space studies. These concerns arise from speculation about the potential for AI to exceed human intelligence and, as a result, hinder scientific discovery and innovation. The question of whether artificial intelligence can hinder the development of space studies and space technologies is a complex issue with many dimensions. While the great benefits of artificial intelligence to space exploration cannot be ignored, the potential threats and obstacles of this technology should also be carefully considered.

Artificial Intelligence and Space Technologies

First of all, the benefits of artificial intelligence in space technologies are quite obvious. Automation and machine learning algorithms enable spacecraft, space robotics, and exploration vehicles to operate more autonomously and play important roles in the analysis and interpretation of large data sets. For example, rovers on Mars can move independently and analyze scientific data thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms. In addition, the processing of large amounts of astronomical data collected by telescopes can be carried out much faster and more accurately with artificial intelligence technologies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Adverse Effects on Space Exploration

However, artificial intelligence has several important factors that may hinder space studies and pose a threat. The first is concerns about the reliability and predictability of artificial intelligence technologies. If artificial intelligence systems used in space research make mistakes or produce unexpected results, this can lead to great costs and loss of time. For example, if an error occurs in spacecraft’s navigation systems, this could cause multibillion-dollar projects to fail. For example, imagine that a space probe was sent to the far reaches of the solar system and was disabled due to artificial intelligence. The damage will be quite large.

The second is the ethical and security dimensions of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence systems making biased or inaccurate decisions can jeopardize the accuracy and reliability of scientific data. Such errors can undermine data-driven decision-making, one of the mainstays of space exploration. Additionally, the vulnerability of artificial intelligence systems to cyberattacks could endanger the security of space missions. Considering the military and strategic importance of space technologies, such vulnerabilities can pose a major threat.

The third is about artificial intelligence pushing the human factor into the background of space exploration. The proliferation of artificial intelligence technologies may lead to a diminished role for human researchers and engineers. This may limit the opportunities for young scientists and engineers to gain training and experience. In the long term, such a lack of knowledge and skills can negatively affect the innovation and innovation capacity of space research and hinder the emergence of new developments.

Finally, the development and application of artificial intelligence technologies may lead to the formation of an artificial intelligence called super artificial intelligence, which is independent of human control. Such an artificial intelligence could look at the general situation of humanity and decide that it should not develop, and in this case, it could develop algorithms that would prevent the success of space technologies and force people to stay on Earth. This could limit overall scientific progress and the diversity of space technologies and hinder humanity’s access to the resources of space.

As a result, there are various ways that artificial intelligence can hinder and pose a threat to the development of space studies and space technologies. A careful balance needs to be struck between the benefits and potential risks brought by artificial intelligence. Increasing the reliability of artificial intelligence technologies, addressing ethical and security issues, preserving human skills and knowledge, and carefully managing financial resources will ensure that space exploration continues sustainably and successfully. In this way, artificial intelligence can be the driving force of space exploration and make significant contributions to humanity’s efforts to understand the universe. What needs to be done for now is to continue working on this issue, but also to closely monitor the development of artificial intelligence.