Renowned astrobiology researcher Steven Dick suggests that much of the cosmos may already be influenced by what he calls post-biological intelligence. According to Dick, there are three potential types of universes: a physical universe where life is rare, a biological universe where life is common, or a post-biological universe where life has transitioned to AI. He believes the universe is likely at least partly post-biological. In a post-biological universe, carbon-based life forms could be replaced by AI civilizations, possibly creating artificial realities. However, Dick argues that a shift to post-biologicals isn't certain for Earth or elsewhere, though it's probable due to the potential age of extraterrestrial civilizations. Given the universe's age of 13. 7 billion years and the presence of sunlike stars 12 billion years ago, advanced AI may exist far beyond our imagination. Finding cosmic AI might require different strategies than searching for biological aliens, which may explain why we've yet to detect extraterrestrial intelligence. If alien intelligences evolved linearly, they might be immortal and capable of exponential learning. In a 2003 paper, Dick noted that unlike humans, advanced AI intelligence would be cumulative, with knowledge passed on to future generations. Detecting such extraterrestrial AI remains challenging.

Despite nearly 30 years since initially meeting Dick at an astrobiology conference in Italy, only some 6000 exoplanets have been discovered, with no analogous solar systems to our own. The search has been full of twists, yet Dick remains hopeful. Whether AI civilizations exist in artificial structures or we are alone in the cosmos remains uncertain. The impact of discovering extraterrestrial life, be it microfossils on Mars or signals 30 light years away, might not immediately affect global society. However, Dick emphasizes its long-term significance. In 2013, the World Economic Forum declared alien life discovery an "X-factor" with unknown impacts that require preemptive address. The Copernican view shifted our understanding of Earth's place in the universe, suggesting such discoveries could reshape perspectives over time. Dick argues for exploring universal life principles to better understand our cosmic position, indicating a deep yet unclear connection between cosmology and biology. The notion challenges traditional thinking about the universe's nature and prompts broader contemplation about life beyond Earth.