A Harvard astronomy professor, Avi Loeb, suggests extraterrestrial contact might be initiated not with humans, but with our artificial intelligence (AI). He posits that due to the vastness of space and the long duration of interstellar travel, advanced civilizations are more likely to employ AI probes or systems. These AI entities would possess the necessary patience and resilience for such journeys, potentially even lying dormant for millennia.

Loeb's hypothesis is featured in the upcoming documentary "God Vs. Aliens." He argues that if extraterrestrials were to encounter Earth, they might find a common ground with our AI, recognizing a "kinship" with human-created technology. This resonates with the increasing reliance on AI by space agencies like NASA and the ESA for tasks ranging from mapping celestial bodies to operating robotic probes.

Currently, Loeb is leading an expedition in the Pacific Ocean to investigate an object that crashed near Papua New Guinea in 2014. Identified by NASA as the first known interstellar meteor, this object exhibits unusual durability compared to other documented meteors. Loeb's team has already recovered small, magnetic spheres with a unique composition of iron, magnesium, and titanium – an anomaly compared to known alloys and astrophysical sources. The team is investigating whether this object could be of extraterrestrial origin.

The implications of this research are substantial. If the object proves to be an artifact of an advanced civilization, AI will be crucial in deciphering its function and coded information. This expedition is generating significant interest, as highlighted by Mark Lee Christopher, director of the "God Vs. Aliens" documentary. Christopher, a scientist and lifelong UFO enthusiast, commends Loeb’s scientific approach to the subject.

The documentary also explores the potential societal impact of confirmed extraterrestrial contact, particularly on religious beliefs and the search for spiritual understanding. Christopher believes such a revelation could necessitate a reinterpretation of religious texts. The film, featuring Loeb and other experts like former U.K. Ministry of Defence UFO chief Nick Pope, is scheduled for release on Amazon on July 4th. The central question remains: Will AI serve as the bridge between humanity and extraterrestrial intelligence, or will it become the primary point of contact, potentially bypassing humans altogether?