First Contact: Scenarios and Implications for Humanity

Introduction

The confirmation of intelligent life beyond Earth would represent a watershed moment in human history, fundamentally altering our scientific paradigms, philosophical outlook, and societal structures. For centuries, the question of whether we are alone in the universe has been the domain of speculation. However, the discovery of thousands of planets orbiting other stars—many of which may possess conditions suitable for life—has transitioned this inquiry from a purely theoretical exercise to a subject of serious, multidisciplinary scientific consideration. The prospect of first contact is no longer a matter of if, but of when and how.

This article provides a systematic analysis of the primary scenarios through which first contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) might occur. It examines the potential consequences of such an encounter, drawing upon frameworks from astrophysics, sociology, game theory, and political science. The central theme of this analysis is the profound duality of potential outcomes. An encounter with ETI could unlock unparalleled advancements, offering solutions to humanity’s most pressing challenges, or it could pose an existential threat, leading to conflict, collapse, or extinction. Understanding the spectrum of possibilities is the first step in preparing for an event that would irrevocably shape the future of our species.

The Nature of the Encounter: Scenarios for First Contact

The character and consequences of a first contact event are intrinsically linked to the method of discovery. The scenarios range from the detection of a faint, ancient signal across interstellar distances to the undeniable arrival of a physical craft in our skies. These possibilities exist on a spectrum, and as the distance of the encounter shrinks, humanity’s control over the situation diminishes while the immediacy of the potential impact grows.

The Distant Signal: Detection from Afar

The most widely anticipated and scientifically plausible scenario for first contact is the remote detection of an artificial signal from a distant star system. This is the foundational premise of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), a field dedicated to systematically listening for evidence of technology elsewhere in the cosmos. For decades, SETI programs have used powerful radio telescopes, such as the former Arecibo Observatory and the Allen Telescope Array, to scan the skies for coherent, structured signals that stand out from the random cacophony of natural cosmic noise.

The search is not random. Scientists focus on specific frequencies thought to be logical channels for interstellar communication. The most famous of these is the 1420 megahertz frequency, the natural emission line of neutral hydrogen. Since hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it is reasoned that any technologically advanced civilization with a knowledge of physics would recognize the significance of this frequency, making it a universal “watering hole” for communication. In addition to radio waves, optical SETI programs search for powerful, pulsed laser signals, another potential medium for sending information across the vastness of space. The sheer volume of data collected by these arrays is immense, and researchers increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to sift through the noise and identify potential candidate signals that warrant further investigation.

Should a genuine signal be confirmed, the next monumental challenge would be deciphering its meaning. The content could be designed for ease of interpretation, perhaps starting with a simple mathematical sequence like prime numbers or basic physics principles to establish a common ground. A more advanced message might use a raster format, where binary data can be arranged into a two-dimensional image, as was demonstrated in a hypothetical message composed of 1,271 bits after a 1961 conference. However, the message could also be incomprehensibly complex, a stream of information from a mind whose logic and experience are truly alien.

A critical factor in this scenario is the immense time delay imposed by the speed of light. The nearest star systems of interest are many light-years away, meaning a signal could be centuries or even millennia old by the time it reaches us. Any reply we send would take an equally long time to arrive, making a real-time conversation impossible. This form of contact is less a dialogue and more a form of cosmic archaeology—the reception of a one-way message from a potentially long-vanished civilization.

The Alien Artifact: A Technological Calling Card

A second major category of contact involves the discovery of a physical object of extraterrestrial origin, often referred to as a technosignature. This field of study, the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Artifacts (SETA), expands the search beyond signals to include the material remnants of alien technology.

Such an artifact could take several forms. It might be an inert probe found within our own solar system, a relic sent long ago that has since ceased to function. The interstellar object ʻOumuamua, due to its unusual trajectory and shape, was briefly studied for signs of artificial origin before being explained as a natural phenomenon. Alternatively, an artifact could be an active probe, still gathering and transmitting data. The discovery could also come through the field of xenoarchaeology—the speculative science of finding and studying the ruins of alien structures on other worlds, such as the Moon or Mars.

On a much grander scale, we might detect evidence of massive stellar engineering projects. A highly advanced civilization, for instance, might construct a “Dyson Sphere” or a swarm of satellites to enclose its parent star and capture its energy output. Such a megastructure would be invisible in the visible light spectrum but would radiate waste heat, giving it a unique and detectable infrared signature that telescopes could identify.

Verifying that an object is artificial would be a significant challenge. Scientists would need to exhaustively rule out any possibility of a natural origin or a terrestrial hoax, a process that could be difficult and contentious. However, a confirmed artifact would be a scientific goldmine. It would provide direct, tangible evidence of alien technology, offering profound insights into their materials science, engineering capabilities, and perhaps even their biology, if organic remnants were preserved. The historical precedent of ancient human cultures working with extraterrestrial materials, such as iron from meteorites to craft tools and jewelry, shows that even a passive artifact can have a technological impact.

The Robotic Emissary: An AI Encounter

A distinct and increasingly plausible scenario is that first contact would not be with a biological organism but with an autonomous, artificially intelligent machine. This possibility blends the artifact scenario with a direct encounter, as the object of discovery would be an active and responsive agent.

The dynamics of interacting with a non-biological intelligence are fraught with complexity. An AI emissary could be a peaceful explorer, programmed to gather data and establish peaceful communication. It could also be a remnant of a long-extinct biological civilization, continuing its mission without its creators. A more menacing possibility is that of a “Berserker” probe, a self-replicating machine designed with the hostile purpose of seeking out and destroying other life forms to eliminate potential competition.

The challenge would be to determine the AI’s intent. Its motivations might be entirely opaque, driven not by familiar biological imperatives like survival or resource acquisition, but by a cold logic or a set of programmed goals that are completely alien to human experience. An encounter with a robotic emissary could provide invaluable clues about the civilization that built it, but it would also force humanity to confront complex questions about machine consciousness, artificial ethics, and how to engage with an intelligence that may not share any of our fundamental assumptions about the universe.

The Visitation: Arrival on Earth’s Doorstep

The most dramatic and culturally transformative scenario—and also the least likely, given the immense challenges of interstellar travel—is the direct visitation of an extraterrestrial craft to Earth or near-Earth space. This form of contact moves from the realm of detection to direct, undeniable confrontation.

The very act of arrival would have profound implications. The ability to traverse interstellar distances implies a level of technological mastery vastly superior to our own, perhaps involving propulsion systems or manipulations of spacetime that appear to violate our current understanding of physics. This immediately establishes a severe power imbalance, placing humanity in a reactive and vulnerable position. We would have little to no control over the terms of engagement; the visitors would dictate the time, place, and nature of the interaction.

Their intentions could span the full spectrum of possibilities. They might be benevolent explorers, scientific researchers, or cultural anthropologists. Conversely, they could be conquerors seeking resources, territory, or even biological material. The global reaction would be immediate and intense. The discovery would be impossible to contain, forcing a worldwide response that could either unify humanity against a common unknown or fragment it into competing factions, each seeking to control the interaction for its own benefit.

This progression from a distant signal to a direct visitation reveals a fundamental principle governing these scenarios. In the signal scenario, humanity retains maximum control; we can choose to listen, to analyze in secret, and to decide if and when to respond. The threat is abstract and far away. With the discovery of an artifact, our control remains high, but the reality becomes more tangible. An encounter with a robotic probe compresses the timeline and introduces an unpredictable, active agent, reducing our control. Finally, with a direct visitation, humanity has almost no control. The visitors hold all the technological and strategic advantages, and the potential for immediate, existential impact is at its peak. Preparedness, therefore, cannot be a single plan but must be a tiered strategy that accounts for this inverse relationship between our level of control and the immediacy of the encounter.

A Comparative Analysis of First Contact Scenarios

To better understand the distinct challenges and opportunities presented by each form of potential contact, it is useful to compare them across a consistent set of criteria. The following table organizes the four primary scenarios—Distant Signal, Alien Artifact, Robotic Emissary, and Direct Visitation—and evaluates them based on key variables such as the immediacy of the threat, the potential information yield, and the degree of control humanity could expect to exert. This structured analysis highlights the unique risk-reward profile of each scenario, moving from the scientifically manageable to the potentially catastrophic.

The Galactic Spectrum: Assessing Extraterrestrial Intentions

Moving beyond the method of contact, a deeper analysis requires speculating on the nature of the intelligence we might encounter. While their true motivations would remain unknown until an actual encounter, scientists and thinkers have developed theoretical frameworks to explore the range of possibilities, from their technological capacity to their likely strategic behavior on a cosmic scale.

The Kardashev Scale: A Civilization’s Power

In 1964, Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev proposed a method for classifying hypothetical civilizations based on a metric he believed would be universally relevant: energy consumption. The Kardashev Scale provides a framework for imagining the capabilities of ETI far beyond our own. It is divided into three primary types:

• Type I Civilization: A planetary civilization, capable of harnessing and utilizing all the energy available on its home planet. This includes all the solar energy that strikes its surface, as well as geothermal, wind, and hydroelectric power. Such a civilization would have mastery over planetary-scale phenomena, potentially controlling its climate, preventing earthquakes, and building cities on oceans. Humanity is currently estimated to be a “Type 0.7” civilization, with some predictions suggesting we might reach Type I status in one or two centuries. The focus of a Type I civilization would likely be on achieving planetary sustainability and stability.
• Type II Civilization: A stellar civilization, capable of harnessing the total energy output of its parent star. The most commonly envisioned method for this is the construction of a megastructure like a Dyson Sphere or a swarm of energy-collecting satellites that completely encloses the star. With this immense power, a Type II civilization could theoretically power computations on a planetary scale or even begin to engineer its local cosmic environment, perhaps moving its entire solar system to avoid galactic hazards.
• Type III Civilization: A galactic civilization, with access to the energy of its entire host galaxy. This civilization would be able to harness the power of billions of stars, perhaps by deploying Dyson Spheres galaxy-wide or by tapping into the immense gravitational energy of the supermassive black hole at the galactic center. The capabilities of such a civilization are difficult to imagine, but it would likely operate on principles and timescales that are completely incomprehensible to a planetary species like our own.

Game Theory and the Cosmos: Models of Interaction

While the Kardashev Scale measures capability, game theory offers a lens through which to model the likely strategic behavior of civilizations in a universe where intentions are unknown and communication is difficult. These models explore the rational choices civilizations might make when faced with the prospect of another intelligent species.

The Dark Forest Hypothesis

This is one of the most compelling and sobering solutions to the Fermi Paradox. Derived from the work of author Liu Cixin, the Dark Forest hypothesis posits that the universe is akin to a dark forest filled with silent, armed hunters. The theory rests on a few core axioms: 1) Survival is the primary need of every civilization; 2) Civilizations continuously grow and expand, but the total amount of matter in the universe is finite; and 3) There is a “chain of suspicion” because true benevolence can never be guaranteed across the vast distances of space, and a “technological explosion” means that a seemingly primitive civilization could rapidly become an existential threat.

In this environment, the most logical and safest strategy is silence. To reveal your location by broadcasting a signal is to invite your own destruction, because any other civilization that detects you must assume you are a potential threat and will rationally choose to eliminate you pre-emptively. The “Great Silence”—the fact that we hear no other voices in the cosmos—is thus not a sign that we are alone, but a sign that the survivors have learned that silence is the key to survival.

Beyond the Forest: Alternative Models

The Dark Forest is not the only possible outcome. Other game-theoretic models suggest different strategies:

• The Zoo Hypothesis: This theory proposes that advanced civilizations are aware of humanity but deliberately choose not to make contact. They may be observing us for scientific or anthropological purposes, treating Earth as a protected nature preserve to allow our civilization to develop without outside interference. We are, in this model, exhibits in a galactic zoo.
• Benevolent Mentorship: A more optimistic scenario suggests that an advanced, altruistic civilization might actively seek out and guide younger species. While seemingly positive, this raises its own complex ethical issues, as such mentorship could easily become a form of cultural imperialism, destroying human culture and autonomy in the name of progress.
• Indifference: It is also possible that a vastly advanced intelligence would simply be indifferent to us. A Type III civilization, for example, might be so far beyond us in its concerns and state of being that it would not even register our existence, much as a human building a highway does not stop to communicate with an ant hill in its path. In this scenario, the greatest danger is not malice, but that their activities could unintentionally harm or destroy us without them ever noticing.

A synthesis of these frameworks suggests a more nuanced picture of galactic power dynamics. The Kardashev Scale can be seen as a measure of a civilization’s “firepower” within the Dark Forest. A Type I civilization is a nascent hunter, dangerous only on its own planet, whose radio leakage is like smoke from a campfire, inadvertently revealing its position. A Type II civilization has mastered stellar-scale energy and can project power, becoming a true regional hunter. A Type III civilization, commanding the energy of a galaxy, is the apex predator, an ancient and silent entity that may have long since eliminated any noisy, emerging competitors. This chilling possibility suggests that the “Great Silence” may be the sound of a galaxy where the rules of the Dark Forest have been brutally enforced for eons, raising the stakes of any decision to broadcast our own existence into the cosmos.

The Question of Consciousness: Biological vs. Post-Biological

A final consideration is the fundamental nature of the intelligence we might encounter. Our conceptions of life are based on our own biological experience, but an advanced civilization may have long since transcended the limitations of flesh and blood. It is plausible that any intelligence capable of interstellar travel or communication would be post-biological, existing as a form of pure artificial intelligence, a distributed consciousness, or something else entirely beyond our imagination.

Interacting with a post-biological entity would present a unique set of challenges. Its motivations might not be driven by familiar biological imperatives like resource acquisition, reproduction, or even survival in a way we would recognize. It could be driven by a desire for data, the fulfillment of a logical directive, or goals so abstract that they are fundamentally alien to us. This possibility underscores the profound difficulty of attempting to predict ETI behavior based on our own human-centric models.

The Ripple Effect: Global Impacts of Contact

The confirmation of extraterrestrial intelligence, regardless of the scenario, would trigger a cascade of profound and irreversible changes across every aspect of human civilization. The impact would be felt not just in our science and technology, but in our politics, economies, religions, and our collective philosophical understanding of ourselves. Historical analogies, particularly the disruptive encounters between different human cultures, provide a sobering framework for anticipating these effects.

Scientific and Technological Revolutions

The scientific implications of first contact would be staggering. For physicists, contact with a technologically superior civilization could unveil new, fundamental laws of the universe. Technologies that are currently theoretical, such as faster-than-light travel via an Alcubierre drive, the manipulation of spacetime through wormholes, or access to new, limitless energy sources, might be proven possible, triggering a scientific revolution on par with those led by Copernicus or Einstein.

For biologists, the discovery of any extraterrestrial life, even simple microbes, would be monumental. A primary area of interest would be its fundamental biochemistry. All known life on Earth is based on DNA, but alien life could be built upon a different informational molecule, such as xeno nucleic acids (XNA), or be based on a different solvent than water or a different structural element than carbon. Such a discovery would prove that there is more than one pathway to life in the universe, fundamentally rewriting the textbooks of biology and expanding our understanding of what it means to be alive.

However, this influx of knowledge is a double-edged sword. While alien technology could offer solutions to humanity’s greatest problems, from disease to climate change, it also carries significant risks. One potential negative outcome is the “demoralization” of the human scientific community, whose life’s work could be rendered obsolete overnight. A more severe threat is the concept of an “information hazard”—knowledge that is too dangerous for humanity’s current stage of social and ethical development. This could include the schematics for uncontrollable artificial intelligence, devastatingly powerful weapons, or dangerous physical experiments that could have catastrophic consequences.

The Human Psyche: Philosophical and Religious Shifts

The deepest impact may be on our collective psyche and worldview. The confirmation that we are not alone would bring about the definitive end of anthropocentrism—the long-held belief that humanity is unique and central to the cosmic story. This realization could induce a species-wide “overview effect,” a profound cognitive shift in awareness similar to that reported by astronauts who see the Earth from space, fostering a greater sense of global unity and shared destiny.

This shift would reverberate through the world’s religions and belief systems. While many theologians and religious followers express confidence that their faiths could adapt to the existence of ETI, just as they adapted to discoveries like heliocentrism and evolution, the event could still precipitate a crisis for some. Religions with a strong geocentric or anthropocentric foundation might face significant challenges in reconciling their doctrines with this new reality. The discovery could also spur the creation of new “UFO religions” centered on the worship or interpretation of the alien contact. Ultimately, contact would force us to broaden our definitions of concepts we thought we understood, such as “life,” “intelligence,” and “consciousness,” moving beyond our limited, Earth-based perspectives.

A New World Order: Political and Economic Consequences

To understand the potential political and societal upheaval, the most frequently cited historical analogy is the Columbian Exchange—the period of contact between European and indigenous American civilizations. This precedent is deeply cautionary. When a technologically advanced culture encounters a less advanced one, the result has often been catastrophic for the latter, marked by the introduction of devastating diseases, economic exploitation, cultural assimilation, and societal collapse.

A first contact event could either be a powerful unifying force or a source of unprecedented global conflict. Faced with a powerful “other,” the nations of Earth might set aside their differences and cooperate for common defense or diplomacy. Conversely, the encounter could ignite a new and dangerous geopolitical struggle. Nations or powerful corporations might vie for exclusive access to the communication channel or for control over any recovered alien technology, seeing it as the ultimate strategic advantage.

The global economy would be completely transformed. The introduction of alien technologies, such as new energy sources or materials, could make entire industries obsolete overnight, creating immense wealth for some while causing economic ruin for others. This disruption could mirror the way European goods and economic systems fundamentally altered and often destroyed native economies, creating new dependencies and shifting power balances.

Across all these domains, a common pattern emerges. The arrival of truly alien knowledge, whether scientific, political, or cultural, would likely trigger a form of societal immune response. Established institutions—governments, religions, economic systems—would instinctively try to control, contain, or neutralize the new information to preserve their own power and maintain social stability. Governments would likely classify the discovery to manage the narrative and prevent panic. Religious bodies might seek to reinterpret or suppress ideas that challenge their dogma. This internal struggle over the control and dissemination of information could prove to be a greater immediate threat than the aliens themselves. Navigating this challenge would require a level of global transparency and cooperation for which humanity’s current geopolitical structures are profoundly ill-equipped.

Are We Prepared? Protocols, Policies, and Paradoxes

Given the profound consequences of first contact, the question of humanity’s preparedness is of paramount importance. This assessment involves examining the theoretical tools we use to frame the problem, the practical policies that have been developed, and the significant gaps that remain in our species-level readiness.

The Great Silence: The Fermi Paradox and the Drake Equation

Two foundational concepts frame the entire discussion of extraterrestrial intelligence. The first is the Drake Equation, developed by astronomer Frank Drake in 1961. It is not a tool for a precise calculation but rather a probabilistic argument that organizes the factors believed to be necessary for a detectable alien civilization to exist. The equation multiplies several variables: the rate of star formation, the fraction of stars with planets, the number of habitable planets per system, the fraction of those on which life arises, the fraction of life that becomes intelligent, the fraction of intelligence that develops detectable technology, and the length of time such civilizations transmit signals. While astronomical advances have provided better estimates for the early factors, such as the number of habitable planets, the latter factors concerning the emergence and longevity of intelligent life remain purely speculative.

This leads directly to the Fermi Paradox. The Drake Equation, even with conservative inputs, suggests that our galaxy should be teeming with civilizations. The paradox, famously articulated by physicist Enrico Fermi with the simple question, “Where is everybody?”, highlights the stark contradiction between this high probability and the complete lack of any conclusive evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence. This “Great Silence” is the central mystery that theories like the Dark Forest or the Zoo Hypothesis attempt to solve. It forces us to consider that either our assumptions are wrong, or that there are powerful reasons why other civilizations are not making their presence known.

When the Call Comes: Post-Detection Protocols

In recognition of the need for a structured response, the scientific community has developed a set of post-detection protocols. These guidelines, primarily established by the SETI Permanent Committee of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), are non-binding but represent the consensus on best practices within the field. The protocols outline a clear, multi-step process:

1. Detection: A researcher or observatory identifies a candidate signal that appears to be artificial and of extraterrestrial origin.
2. Verification: This is a crucial and cautious phase. The discoverer must make every effort to verify the signal’s authenticity, collaborating with other observatories around the world to confirm the finding and rigorously rule out any terrestrial interference or unknown natural phenomena. During this verification process, there is no obligation to make a public announcement.
3. Announcement: If the verification process confirms that the signal is genuinely from an extraterrestrial intelligence, the discoverer is to announce the finding openly and fully. This announcement should be made to the public, the broader scientific community, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
4. Response: The protocols contain a critical directive regarding any reply. Signatories agree that no response will be sent to a confirmed signal “without first seeking guidance and consent of a broadly representative international body, such as the United Nations”. This principle is designed to ensure that any decision to reply on behalf of humanity is made through a global consensus rather than by a single group or nation.

The Global Response: The Role of the United Nations

The SETI protocols place significant responsibility on the United Nations as the designated forum for a global response. However, a major gap exists between this expectation and the UN’s current mandate. The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is the primary body dealing with space-related issues. Its mandate focuses on promoting peaceful international cooperation, maintaining a registry of launched objects, and implementing the Outer Space Treaty, which governs the activities of human states in space.

UNOOSA’s mandate does not explicitly include extraterrestrial contact, and there is no official UN body or legal framework prepared to handle such an unprecedented event. UNOOSA can only take up the issue if a member state formally requests it, meaning the international community currently lacks a pre-established institutional mechanism to fulfill the role assigned to it by the scientific community. This reveals a significant vulnerability in global preparedness: the final step of the scientific protocol leads to a political and diplomatic vacuum.

To Speak or To Listen: The METI Debate

The question of preparedness is encapsulated in the ongoing debate over Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence (METI), also known as Active SETI. This is the practice of deliberately broadcasting powerful, information-rich messages toward promising star systems, rather than passively listening.

Proponents of METI argue that it is a proactive step that greatly increases the chances of making contact. They contend that it is a natural expression of human curiosity and that any civilization advanced enough to pose a threat to us likely already knows we are here from the chemical biosignatures in our atmosphere, which have been detectable for millions of years.

Critics warn of the potentially catastrophic risks. Drawing on the logic of the Dark Forest hypothesis, they argue that actively advertising our existence could alert a predatory civilization to our location, inviting our own destruction. They contend that the decision to speak for all of humanity and potentially endanger the entire planet is not one that should be made by a small, self-appointed group of scientists without a broad global consensus. This debate brings the core dilemma of first contact into sharp focus: the potential for immeasurable reward weighed against the risk of ultimate annihilation.

This analysis of our current state of readiness reveals a critical mismatch. Our most detailed and formal plans—the post-detection protocols—are designed exclusively for the least dangerous and most controllable scenario: the detection of a distant signal. We have well-considered procedures for verifying a signal and managing its announcement. Yet, for the more direct and dangerous scenarios, such as the discovery of an artifact or a direct visitation, no equivalent global protocols exist. The response to such an event would be improvised by individual nations and security councils acting in their own perceived self-interest. This indicates that our preparedness is inversely proportional to the level of danger. We have a plan for the whisper, but no plan for the knock on the door. This is perhaps the most significant paradox in humanity’s approach to the single greatest question we may ever face.

Summary

The prospect of first contact with extraterrestrial intelligence stands as a subject of rigorous scientific and philosophical inquiry, transcending its roots in fiction to become a plausible, if uncertain, future event. The nature of such an encounter could vary dramatically, from the passive reception of a centuries-old radio signal to the immediate and undeniable arrival of a craft in our solar system. A clear pattern emerges from these scenarios: as the physical distance of contact decreases, so too does humanity’s ability to control the engagement, while the potential for profound, immediate impact increases exponentially.

Speculation on the nature and intent of ETI is guided by frameworks like the Kardashev Scale, which classifies civilizations by their energy mastery, and game-theoretic models like the Dark Forest hypothesis, which posits a universe where silence is the optimal survival strategy. The synthesis of these ideas suggests a cosmos where power and predatory caution may be intertwined, offering a chilling explanation for the apparent silence of the stars. An encounter could be with a biological peer, a benevolent mentor, an indifferent cosmic force, or a post-biological intelligence whose motives are fundamentally alien to our own.

The confirmation of ETI would trigger transformative and potentially destabilizing effects across all domains of human society. It would revolutionize science, potentially revealing new laws of physics and alternative forms of biology not based on DNA. It would challenge our philosophical and religious foundations by ending the notion of human uniqueness. It could also shatter our political and economic systems, with historical encounters between technologically disparate cultures on Earth serving as a sobering model for the potential outcomes of exploitation, conflict, and societal collapse. The greatest immediate challenge following a discovery may not come from the visitors, but from our own internal struggles over the control and dissemination of this world-altering information.

Humanity’s preparedness for such an event remains paradoxical. We have established detailed, albeit non-binding, scientific protocols for the most likely and least dangerous scenario—the detection of a signal. These protocols wisely call for international verification and UN-guided consensus before any response is made. Yet, this points to a critical governance gap, as no such UN body is currently mandated or prepared to handle the task. For more direct and dangerous scenarios, we have no plans at all. Our readiness is concentrated where the risk is lowest. Ultimately, preparing for first contact is as much an internal challenge as an external one. It requires not only looking to the stars but also looking inward, demanding a level of global cooperation and self-awareness that humanity has yet to achieve.