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
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Understanding the Accelerating Rate of Change
May 2, 2003 by Ray Kurzweil, Chris Meyer
We’re entering an age of acceleration. The models underlying society at every level, which are largely based on a linear model of change, are going to have to be redefined. Because of the explosive power of exponential growth, the 21st century will be equivalent to 20,000 years of progress at today’s rate of progress; organizations have to be able to redefine themselves at a faster and faster pace.… read more
Reflections on Stephen Wolfram’s A New Kind of Science
May 13, 2002 by Ray Kurzweil
In his remarkable new book, Stephen Wolfram asserts that cellular automata operations underlie much of the real world. He even asserts that the entire Universe itself is a big cellular-automaton computer. But Ray Kurzweil challenges the ability of these ideas to fully explain the complexities of life, intelligence, and physical phenomena.… read more
The Web Within Us: Minds and Machines Become One.
February 21, 2001 by Ray Kurzweil
Ray Kurzweil’s vision for the 21st century and beyond includes reverse-engineering the human brain and non-biological intelligences.… read more
The Gray Goo Problem
March 20, 2001 by Robert A. Freitas Jr.
In Eric Drexler’s classic “grey goo” scenario, out-of-control nanotech replicators wipe out all life on Earth. This paper by Robert A. Freitas Jr. was the first quantitative technical analysis of this catastrophic scenario, also offering possible solutions. It was written in part as an answer to Bill Joy’s recent concerns.… read more
Safe Utilization of Advanced Nanotechnology
January 27, 2003 by Chris Phoenix, Mike Treder
The “gray goo” scenario and other dangers of advanced nanotechnology can be avoided with a centrally controlled, relatively large, self-contained nanofactory, administered by a central authority and with restricted-design software.… read more
Human Body Version 2.0
February 16, 2003 by Ray Kurzweil
In the coming decades, a radical upgrading of our body’s physical and mental systems, already underway, will use nanobots to augment and ultimately replace our organs. We already know how to prevent most degenerative disease through nutrition and supplementation; this will be a bridge to the emerging biotechnology revolution, which in turn will be a bridge to the nanotechnology revolution. By 2030, reverse-engineering of the human brain will have been completed and nonbiological intelligence will merge with our biological brains.… read more
THE HUMAN MACHINE MERGER: ARE WE HEADED FOR THE MATRIX?
March 2, 2003 by Ray Kurzweil
Most viewers of The Matrix consider the more fanciful elements–intelligent computers, downloading information into the human brain, virtual reality indistinguishable from real life–to be fun as science fiction, but quite remote from real life. Most viewers would be wrong. As renowned computer scientist and entrepreneur Ray Kurzweil explains, these elements are very feasible and are quite likely to be a reality within our lifetimes.… read more
What is the Singularity?
February 27, 2001 by John Smart
This introduction to the Singularity includes a brief history of the idea and links to key Web resources.… read more
Two philosophers, a biologist, and an evolutionary theorist critique Ray Kurzweil’s prediction that computers will attain a level of intelligence beyond human capabilities, and at least apparent consciousness. Kurzweil responds to these critics of “strong AI.”… read more