While I know humans are cheaper and easier to produce and develop than current AI technology, at some point it might make more sense to send our artificial minds and bodies to explore the Sol system and beyond. A big reason is that it would last longer than your average human, be able to survive all sorts of conditions, and now it seems not have to worry or need any biologicals onboard.

My prediction is that the first ETI we encouter, whether it be from a visiting starship or a distant signal, will be a form of machine intelligence.
Biologicals still seem to unpredictable and prone to self-destruction.