In the event of human extinction due to war or climate change, octopuses have been identified as potential rulers of Earth, according to leading scientists. Their intelligence, dexterity, and adaptability are believed to position them as candidates for developing an advanced civilisation. Professor Tim Coulson, a zoologist at the University of Oxford, suggests that octopuses could evolve tools and technologies to build underwater cities akin to human societies should the right environmental conditions emerge.

Key Traits Supporting Octopus Dominance

As per a report by DailyMail UK, there are several attributes of octopuses that make them unique. Their problem-solving capabilities, decentralised nervous system, and ability to manipulate objects enable them to adapt to challenging environments. The report further highlights that while they are unlikely to fully transition to land due to their lack of a skeleton, it is believed they could find innovative ways to extend their time out of water, such as developing breathing apparatuses.

These marine creatures, already adept at using tools and hunting, could exploit niches left vacant in a post-human world, the report adds. Octopuses are known to thrive in diverse environments, from deep seas to coastal waters, and possess the capacity for both solitary survival and complex behaviours.

Primates Unlikely to Succeed Humans

Contrary to previous theories suggesting primates might replace humans, the report reveal that researchers argue that primates face many of the same extinction threats as humans. Slow reproductive rates, vulnerability to predators, and dependence on specific ecosystems reduce their chances of survival in a changed world. The report further mentions that while intelligent birds and insects demonstrate advanced behaviour, they lack the dexterity needed to create tools or transform their surroundings on a human scale.

Speculative but Plausible Future

Professor Coulson told the publication that the rise of octopuses as dominant species is speculative. Evolution is unpredictable, shaped by countless variables, random mutations, and extinction events. However, given the intelligence and adaptability of octopuses, they remain a strong contender for evolving into an advanced civilisation in the absence of human influence, he told the publication.

A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Earth Copilot, has been introduced by NASA in collaboration with Microsoft to make Earth-related scientific data more accessible. Designed to summarise NASA’s extensive geospatial information, the AI-powered chatbot aims to simplify complex datasets and answer user queries with ease. By addressing questions like the environmental impact of events or changes in air quality, the tool seeks to bridge the gap between NASA’s vast database and users who may lack technical expertise.

Democratising Earth Science Data

The initiative is part of NASA’s effort to expand access to its data. According to Tyler Bryson, Corporate Vice President for Health and Public Sector Industries at Microsoft, many users struggle to utilise NASA’s database due to its technical nature. Extracting insights often requires specialised knowledge of geospatial analysis and data formats. By integrating AI into NASA’s data repository, Earth Copilot reduces the time needed to derive insights from scientific information, making the data more accessible in seconds.

Testing and Integration

Currently, Earth Copilot is in a testing phase, with NASA scientists and researchers evaluating its performance. Following this assessment, NASA plans to integrate the tool into its Visualisation, Exploration, and Data Analysis (VEDA) platform. VEDA already offers public access to some of NASA’s datasets, and Earth Copilot could enhance its usability for non-specialist users.

Potential Benefits

Earth Copilot is expected to transform how users interact with Earth science data by simplifying the process of analysis. The tool has been designed to answer complex questions, such as the effects of natural disasters or global events, using NASA’s comprehensive database. Its development aligns with the agency’s goal of enhancing public understanding of Earth’s systems and providing timely, accurate insights for decision-making.

While still limited to internal testing, Earth Copilot represents a promising step towards making Earth science data universally accessible.

A recent cosmic census has revealed an unexpected threefold rise in active black holes within dwarf galaxies, creating the most extensive database of intermediate-mass black holes recorded to date. This survey, conducted with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) at the Mayall Telescope in Arizona, identified over 2,500 black holes in dwarf galaxies—more than triple the previously estimated number. Led by University of Utah astronomer Ragadeepika Pucha, the research team discovered that around 2 per cent of the nearly 115,000 surveyed dwarf galaxies contain black holes actively consuming matter. Previously, only 0.5 per cent of these galaxies were believed to host such black holes.

Unveiling Middleweight Black Holes in the Cosmos

The survey has also increased the number of intermediate-mass black hole candidates—those with masses between 100 and one million times that of the sun. With almost 300 new middleweight candidates identified, the known population has quadrupled from just 70. These findings are important for understanding black hole evolution, as middleweight black holes are seen as a bridge between stellar-mass black holes, formed from collapsing stars, and supermassive black holes, which are often found at the centres of larger galaxies. According to Pucha, this newly documented group of black holes offers clues into how early black holes may have evolved through gradual cosmic mergers.

Insights into Galaxy and Black Hole Co-Evolution

The unprecedented increase in detected black holes brings fresh opportunities to study the connection between galaxies and the black holes within them. As Dr Stéphanie Juneau from NOIRLab, a co-author of the study, remarks, the discovery raises fundamental questions about the evolution of galaxies and their black holes. It remains unclear whether galaxies formed first, subsequently creating black holes, or if black holes seeded galaxy growth.

Future of Cosmic Exploration with DESI

DESI’s findings open new chapters in understanding galactic evolution. Expected to release more detailed findings in 2025, the DESI project has already mapped 1.5 million galaxies, creating a vast 3D map that enables astronomers to probe dimmer galaxies that previously eluded detailed study. Astrophysicist Mallory Molina of Vanderbilt University, though not directly involved in the study, noted the transformative impact of the data, highlighting DESI’s ability to detect numerous black holes, even with basic observational tools, suggesting the potential for further discoveries.