Aliens likely ‘robot being who overthrew masters’ claims Royal Astronomer Lord Martin Rees – Daily Star

“My guess is that if we do detect an alien intelligence, it will be nothing like us”

Lord Martin Rees

It would “extremely unlikely” to find alien beings who are similar to humans, the 74-year-old said.

He described “organic intelligence” as a “thin sliver” between the primordial stages of life and the dominant era of machines.

Celebrity scientist Stephen Hawking previously warned we should hope aliens do not come to Earth, while also warning the development of AI could be the “worth thing” for humanity.

“My guess is that if we do detect an alien intelligence, it will be nothing like us. It will be some sort of electronic entity,” he said during an interview at Trinity College.

Lord Rees added: “In other words, the period of time occupied by organic intelligence is just a thin sliver between early life and the long era of the machines.

“Because such civilisations would develop at different rates, it’s extremely unlikely that we will find intelligent life at the same stage of development as us.”

The position of British Astronomer Royal was created by King Charles II in 1675 and the holder is regarded as an official member of the Royal Household.

The Astronomer Royal has previously warned the Earth needs an asteroid shield to protect mankind from apocalypse.

NASA revealed three huge asteroids are approaching Earth this week – but the trio are expected to all pass our planet harmlessly.

Life in space has yet to be proven to exist, but some UFO hunters claim aliens are here and want to “quarantine” humanity.