Intelligence, Ethics, and the Search for Extraterrestrials: A Microcredential

After approximately two years of effort, the Penn State microcredential on Intelligence, Ethics, and Extraterrestrials is approaching launch. To that end, this brief proposed general session talk intends to introduce attendees to the microcredential, which features subject matter experts from anthropology, art, bioethics, communication arts and sciences, history, neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, and the SETI community. The talk will cover highlights from the microcredential, share insights gained during development, and explore the potential for future iterations. It is hoped that the microcredential can be offered for preview prior to the conference, as well as during the poster session and breaks to allow attendees to sample it and engage with the microcredential creators. This will allow for more robust discussion. With this presentation, we hope to explore, but also challenge, our understandings of the concept of intelligence and gain further insights into the role of intelligence(s) in the search for extraterrestrials. As such, the purpose of the presentation is to demonstrate the completed microcredential and discuss its potential for outreach and bringing more voices into the SETI community.