Search for extraterrestrial intelligence

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (usually shortened as SETI) is an expression that refers to the diverse efforts and scientific projects intended to detect extraterrestrial signals, or any evidence of intelligent life beyond Earth.

Researchers use methods such as monitoring electromagnetic radiation, searching for optical signals, and investigating potential extraterrestrial artifacts for any signs of transmission from civilizations present on other planets.^[1][2][3] Some initiatives have also attempted to send messages to hypothetical alien civilizations, such as NASA's Golden Record.^[4]

Modern SETI research began in the early 20th century after the advent of radio, expanding with projects like Project Ozma, the Wow! signal detection, and the Breakthrough Listen initiative; a $100 million, 10-year attempt to detect signals from nearby stars, announced in 2015 by Stephen Hawking, and Yuri Milner. Since the 1980s, international efforts have been ongoing, with community led projects such as SETI@home and Project Argus, engaging in analyzing data.^[5] While SETI remains a respected scientific field, it often gets compared to conspiracy theory, UFO research, bringing unawarrented skepticism from the public, despite its reliance on rigorous scientific methods and verifiable data and research. Similar studies on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) such as the Avi Loeb's Galileo Project have brought further attention to SETI research.

Despite decades of searching, no confirmed evidence of alien intelligence has been found, bringing criticism onto SETI for being 'overly hopeful'. Critics argue that SETI is speculative and unfalsifiable, while supporters see it as a crucial step in addressing the Fermi Paradox and understanding extraterrestrial technosignature.^[6]