International scientists are exploring the theory that highly advanced alien civilizations might harness immense energy from black holes, according to a study published in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. This hypothesis was a central topic at the "Dyson Minds 2025 Workshop," a multidisciplinary conference organized by Penn State, MIT, and The Ultraintelligence Foundation.
The workshop brought together experts in astronomy, astrophysics, artificial intelligence, and engineering to discuss the feasibility of extraterrestrials constructing energy-harvesting structures around black holes. While the concept of using Dyson Spheres—hypothetical megastructures designed to capture a star's energy—to harness power from black holes was previously proposed by Taiwanese researchers in 2021, this marked the first time such a diverse group of specialists convened to examine it.
Researchers are considering the possibility that these structures could tap into the energy emitted by supermassive black holes, the dense objects found at the centers of galaxies. These cosmic phenomena not only accrete matter but also expel powerful jets of plasma, described by UK radio astronomer Steve Prabu as some of the most energetic phenomena in the cosmos.
Olivia Curtis, lead author of the study and a researcher at Penn State's Extraterrestrial Intelligence Center, acknowledged the speculative nature of the theory, comparing it to proposals for space-based data centers. She suggested that civilizations seeking the greatest possible energy gradient would naturally gravitate towards galactic centers. The researchers theorize that a Dyson Sphere would need to be positioned at a significant distance from a black hole, approximately one parsec (about 3 light-years), to avoid being destroyed by the intense radiation. The structures would not be placed within the event horizon.
Potential detection methods for such extraterrestrial megastructures include observing infrared signatures. Curtis's research focuses on identifying these signs, utilizing data from projects like the Event Horizon Telescope, which captured images of black holes M87 in 2019 and Sagittarius A* in 2022. Information transfer from these hypothetical spheres could manifest as periodic bursts if their orbits align to transmit data towards Earth.
However, the theory faces skepticism. Avi Loeb, a scientist at Harvard University, expressed concerns about the viability of such structures. He argued that the intense radiation and hazardous environment near active black holes, including luminous quasars, would likely destroy any technological infrastructure. Loeb suggested that such environments are too dangerous, even for robotic or AI construction workers, and recommended maintaining a distance of many thousands of light-years from supermassive black holes.