The Future of Libraries, Part 1: The Technology of the Book
August 6, 2001 by Ray Kurzweil
The future of book technology, written for “The Futurecast,” a monthly column in the Library Journal… read more
Most Recently Added Most commentedBy Title | Z-A
Future technologies for sensory impairments will include automatic subtitles on the fly for the hearing-impaired, pocket-sized reading machines, automatic language translators, and intelligent devices sent through the bloodstream. These devices will also augment the senses for the general population.… read more
The Drexler-Smalley debate on molecular assembly
December 1, 2003 by Ray Kurzweil
Nanotechnology pioneer Eric Drexler and Rice University Professor and Nobelist Richard Smalley have engaged in a crucial debate on the feasibility of molecular assembly. Smalley’s position, which denies both the promise and the peril of molecular assembly, will ultimately backfire and will fail to guide nanotechnology research in the needed constructive direction, says Ray Kurzweil. By the 2020s, molecular assembly will provide tools to effectively combat poverty, clean up our… read more
The Coming Merging of Mind and Machine
February 21, 2001 by Ray Kurzweil
Ray Kurzweil predicts a future with direct brain-to-computer access and conscious machines. From Scientific American.… read more
The Alcor Conference on Extreme Life Extension
November 21, 2002 by Ray Kurzweil
On November 15-17, 2002, leaders in life extension and cryonics came together to explore how the emerging technologies of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and cryonics will enable humans to halt and ultimately reverse aging and disease and live indefinitely.… read more
The Age of Knowledge
August 6, 2001 by Ray Kurzweil
An illustration of the second industrial revolution written for “The Futurecast,” a monthly column in the Library Journal… read more
In this keynote given at the 8th Annual Foresight Conference, Raymond Kurzweil discusses exponential trends in various technologies, and the double-edged sword accelerating technologies represent.… read more
Testimony of Ray Kurzweil on the Societal Implications of Nanotechnology
April 8, 2003 by Ray Kurzweil
Despite calls to relinquish research in nanotechnology, we will have no choice but to confront the challenge of guiding nanotechnology in a constructive direction. Advances in nanotechnology and related advanced technologies are inevitable. Any broad attempt to relinquish nanotechnology will only push it underground, which would interfere with the benefits while actually making the dangers worse.… read more
At the Foresight Institute “Exploring the Edges” Senior Associate Gathering, April 27, 2002, Ray Kurzweil presented the case of the emergence of biological and machine intelligence, answering the three major challenges: limited resources, inadequate software, and ethical concerns. Here are the presentation slides and audio.… read more
Statement for Extropy Institute Vital Progress Summit
February 18, 2004 by Ray Kurzweil
Responding to the Presidential Bioethics Council report, “Beyond Therapy,” Ray Kurzweil has written a keynote statement for the Extropy Institute’s Vital Progress Summit, an Internet virtual discussion and debate.… read more
Spielberg catches Kubrick’s Baton: A Review of
June 18, 2001 by Ray Kurzweil
The androids and other intelligent machines in “A.I.” represent well-grounded science futurism, says AI pioneer Raymond Kurzweil.… read more
Singularity Q&A
December 9, 2011 by Ray Kurzweil
Originally published in 2005 with the launch of The Singularity Is Near.
Questions and Answers
So what is the Singularity?
Within a quarter century, nonbiological intelligence will match the range and subtlety of human intelligence. It will then soar past it because of the continuing acceleration of information-based technologies, as well as the ability of machines to instantly share their knowledge. Intelligent nanorobots will be deeply integrated… read more