The artificial neural network identified a square structure inscribed in a triangle inside a crater located on the surface of the dwarf planet Ceres, with several people agreeing with this perception of the image. This result was the result of an intriguing visual experiment conducted by a Spanish neurophysiologist that calls into question the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to search for extraterrestrial life.
A few years ago, an unusual white spot was discovered on the surface of Ceres, which, upon further study, turned out to be a structure of volcanic ice and salt. In a new study, scientists from the University of Cadiz, Spain, led by neurophysiologist Gabriel G. De la Torre, used one of these spots, called the Vinalia Faculae, which has an unusual geometric shape close to a square. may have technogenic structures), for a new visual experiment.
In the course of this experiment, the same image was first shown to 163 volunteers who had not previously taken part in experiments on pattern recognition in astronomical images, and then to an AI neural network system "trained" to recognize squares and triangles in similar images. As a result of the experiment, the volunteers recognized only the square in the outline of the structure, while the AI recognized both the square and the triangle at the same time (the square is inscribed in the triangle). Interestingly, when the volunteers were told about the triangle, the number of participants in the experiment who "saw" this figure increased. Thus, AI can sometimes lead us on the wrong track when searching for extraterrestrial life, the authors conclude.
