As reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on September 25, 2023, a group of seven scientists created an AI that can tell the difference between samples that come from living things and those that don’t.
Scientists say that the new machine-learning algorithm, which was taught with living cells, fossils, meteorites, and chemicals made in a lab, correctly identified the samples 90% of the time.
Researchers said that the AI looked at data from 134 known abiotic and biotic carbon-rich samples and was able to tell the difference between biotic (like teeth, bones, etc.) and abiotic (like lab chemicals).
The AI also found fossils and other signs of ancient life, which was hard to do before because collections of organic molecules, whether biotic or abiotic, tend to break down over time, the experts said in a press conference.
The experts said it was surprising that the new analytical method found signs of life that had been preserved in some cases for hundreds of millions of years, even though the materials were breaking down and changing.
Pyrolysis gas chromatography research shows that the AI can find small differences in the molecular patterns of a sample.
Scientists say it also looks at mass spectrometry, which figures out the chemical weights of those parts.
Dr. Robert M. Hazen, one of the lead writers, said that they started “with the idea that the chemistry of life is fundamentally different from that of the inanimate world; that there are “chemical rules of life” that affect the diversity and distribution of biomolecules.”
Because of the data, Dr. Hazen said, they might be able to find life on another planet, or biosphere, “even if it is very different from the life we know on Earth.”
Additionally, it’s not a given that alien life will use DNA like Earth life does. However, this AI technology is “a big deal” because it will be able to find “alien biochemistries, as well as Earth life.”
The experts said that the technology can be used right away. To begin, they will look at data that the Curiosity rover collected about rocks on Mars.
At a news conference, they also said that they would look at strange ancient rocks found on Earth to try to figure out where they came from.
Scientists also said that the new AI makes it possible to use smart sensors on robotic aircraft, landers, and rovers to look for signs of life in samples before they come back to Earth.
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