Futurists have long debated the arrival of the singularity, when human and artificial intelligence will merge. American computer scientist and futurist Ray Kurzweil has predicted that this event will occur around the middle of the 21st century, and his predictions are gaining more credence with the rise of AI.
In his new book, The Singularity is Nearer, Kurzweil details how humanity’s intelligence will increase a millionfold via nanobots and other advancements. He believes that humans will achieve a millionfold intelligence by 2045, aided by brain interfaces formed with nanobots non-invasively inserted into our capillaries.
Kurzweil is not alone in his predictions. Other philosophers and AI experts agree that some form of merger between human and machine is likely inevitable. Oxford’s Marcus du Sautoy and Nick Bostrom have both expounded on the hopeful and harrowing possibilities of our AI future, with a kind of synthesis appearing inevitable.
The idea of a hybrid AI-human existence raises many questions. What will humans do for jobs? Could we possibly live forever? Would that change the very idea of what it means to be human?
Kurzweil is relatively optimistic about this front. He highlights the idea of a Universal Basic Income as a necessity rather than a fringe idea, and AI will bring unprecedented advancements in medicine, meaning the very idea of immortality isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
While some critics may view Kurzweil’s predictions with skepticism, his timeline is rapidly approaching, and there is currently no evidence to suggest that the contrary.
Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a61777484/2045-singularity-ray-kurzweil/