#RAY KURZWEIL

[strathshepard]

Harold Cohen: AARON KCAT, 2001, developed with the computer scientist Raymond Kurzweil, constantly builds colorful interior scenes by following exhaustive sets of rules for human anatomy and plant structure

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Leonora Carrington (English-Mexican, 1917-2011, b. Clayton-le-Woods, Lancashire, England, d. Mexico City, Mexico) - La Silla: Daghda Tuatha dé Dannaan, 1955, Paintings: Oil on Canvas, Private Collection

* * * *

Ray Kurzweil: “I describe myself as a patternist, and believe that if you put matter and energy in just the right pattern you create something that transcends it. Technology is a good example of that: you put together lenses and mechanical parts and some computers and some software in just the right combination and you create a reading machine for the blind. It’s something that transcends the semblance of parts you’ve put together. That is the nature of technology, and it’s the nature of the human brain. Biological molecules put in a certain combination create the transcending properties of human intelligence; you put notes and sounds together in just the rightcombination, and you create a Beethoven symphony or a Beatles song. So patterns have a power that transcends the parts of that pattern.” “

Ray Kurzweil, American author, inventor and futurist, cited in Jason Silva, Connecting All The Dots, Dec 10, 2010 (via amiquote)

+

"...emotions really exist at the bottom of the personality or at the top. in the middle they are acted. this is why all the world is a stage." 

-Iris Murdoch

[soapdispensersalesman]

More research time, I was initially looking for the book The Master Algorithm by Pedro Domingos, but it wasn't there. Gotta look for it at the bookstore because I'm gonna be having a helluva shift at work later and would like to have the book so I can read and write.

These books seemed tempting too.

Ray Kurzweil - The Singularity is Near

Gary Smith - The AI Delusion

Max Tegmark - Life 3.0

[kp777]

A Scientist Says Humans Will Reach the Singularity Within 21 Years

An American computer scientist-turned-futurist, Kurzweil has long believed that humanity is headed toward what’s known as “the singularity,” when man and machine merge. In 1999, Kurzweil theorized that artificial general intelligence would be achieved once humanity could achieve a technology capable of a trillion calculations per second, which he pegged to occur 2029.

Experts at the time scoffed at the idea, figuring it’d be at least a century or more, but with Kurzweil’s timeline only a few years off—and talk of AGI spreading—that decades-old prediction is beginning to loom large.

[bocadosdefilosofia]

«Fundamentalmente, veremos que el transhumanismo se divide en dos grandes campos: los que “simplemente” quieren mejorar la especie humana sin reunciar por ello a su humanidad, limitándose a reforzarla, y los que, como Kurzweil precisamente, abogan por la “tecnofabricación” de una “poshumanidad” para la creación de una nueva especie, híbrida en su caso con máquinas dotadas de capacidades físicas y de una inteligencia artificial superiores a las nuestras. En el primer caso, el transhumanismo se sitúa voluntariamente en la continuidad de un cierto humanismo “no naturalista” (veremos más adelante el sentido preciso de este concepto), un humanismo que, desde Pico della Mirandola a Condorcet, abogaba por una perfectibilidad infinita del ser humano. En el segundo, la ruptura con el humanismo en todas sus formas se consume y se asume al mismo tiempo.»

Luc Ferry: La revolución transhumanista. Alianza Editorial, pág. 25.  Madrid, 2017

TGO

@bocadosdefilosofia

@dias-de-la-ira-1

[imaginalstudio]

In recent years, we have observed an accelerating convergence of three major areas: societal change, technological advancement, and spiritual evolution. This convergence is reshaping the way we live, think, and interact, driving profound transformations in human civilization.

Societal Acceleration

Historically, societal changes were gradual, influenced by major events like wars, economic shifts, and cultural movements. However, in the modern era, the pace of societal transformation has significantly accelerated. This can be attributed to the rapid exchange of information and ideas facilitated by the internet and global connectivity. Generational conflicts, which have always been a part of human history, are now more frequent and intense. Each new generation brings fresh perspectives and values, often challenging the status quo and driving societal evolution at an unprecedented rate.

Technological Acceleration

The concept of technological singularity, popularized by futurist Ray Kurzweil, suggests that technological progress is accelerating exponentially. This means that advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), fusion power, ubiquitous sensors, off-world industries, space mining, immersive virtual reality (VR), and regenerative medicine are occurring at an increasingly rapid pace, with each new development building on previous breakthroughs.

• AI and Ubiquitous Sensors: AI is revolutionizing various sectors by enabling autonomous systems capable of performing complex tasks. The integration of AI with ubiquitous sensors enhances real-time data processing and decision-making in industries ranging from healthcare to defense .

• Fusion Power: Fusion power, long considered the holy grail of energy production, promises a nearly limitless and clean energy source. Current advancements are bringing us closer to practical fusion reactors, which could revolutionize energy generation and significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels .

• Off-World Industry and Space Mining: Companies like OffWorld are developing autonomous mining robots for use both on Earth and in space. These robots are designed to operate in harsh environments, paving the way for sustainable resource extraction from the Moon and asteroids. The concept of off-world industries includes not just mining but also manufacturing and resource extraction on celestial bodies. This development could lead to the establishment of permanent human settlements in space, providing new opportunities for economic expansion and reducing the environmental impact of resource extraction on Earth.

• Immersive VR: Advances in VR technology, driven by high-performance sensors and immersive experiences, are transforming entertainment, education, and even remote work, creating entirely new virtual environments for human interaction .

• Regenerative Medicine: Researchers like Michael Levin are pioneering regenerative medicine, exploring how to control and manipulate cellular processes to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating various medical conditions.

Spiritual Acceleration

In parallel with societal and technological changes, there is a growing sense of spiritual evolution. This concept is reminiscent of the imaginal cells in the metamorphosis of butterflies and moths. Imaginal cells are the precursors to the adult structures in these insects, driving the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. Similarly, certain cultural and spiritual movements act as catalysts for a broader societal transformation, integrating new technologies with evolving human values.

The Convergence

The convergence of these three accelerations—societal, technological, and spiritual—is creating a unique and dynamic landscape. Rapid technological advancements are reshaping cultural norms and societal structures, while evolving spiritual perspectives are influencing how we integrate and adapt to these changes. This convergence suggests that we are approaching a critical juncture in human evolution, where the pace of change is so rapid and interconnected that it leads to a transformative period in human history.

Implications for the Future

Understanding this convergence is crucial for navigating the future. It highlights the importance of adaptability, openness to new ideas, and the integration of diverse perspectives. As we move forward, the ability to harness technological advancements while maintaining a strong sense of cultural and spiritual grounding will be essential for creating a balanced and sustainable future. This may also lead to the development of new political and economic systems that are more efficient and effective for a post-convergent singularity civilization, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of our rapidly evolving world.

In conclusion, the accelerating convergence of societal change, technological advancement, and spiritual evolution is driving and simultaneously represent a profound metamorphosis in human civilization. By recognizing and embracing this dynamic interplay, we can better prepare for the transformative changes that lie ahead.

[morerogue]

[techniche]

By Matthew Ehret

As we move further into the vortex dubbed ‘the Great Reset’, one gets a sense of a creepy cultish mode of speaking among some of the top echelons of imperial thinkers setting the cultural tone for the proceedings which profess to profoundly transform a new epoch in human history. World Economic Forum shining stars like Yuval Harari, Klaus Schwab, and Ray Kurzweil speak giddily about an impending evolutionary shift where human society will become something more than human.

Renowned futurist and lead Google Engineer Ray Kurzweil gave this moment of bifurcation a name: “The Singularity”. In 2005, he described this moment saying: “Our version 1.0 biological bodies are likewise frail and subject to a myriad of failure modes… The Singularity will allow us to transcend these limitations of our biological bodies and brains… The Singularity will represent the culmination of the merger of our biological thinking and existence with our technology, resulting in a world that is still human but that transcends our biological roots. There will be no distinction, post-Singularity, between human and machine or between physical and virtual reality.”

Kurzweil and Harari even predicted the date 2050 to be the magical moment which the new age of human-machine unification will be consolidated, as artificial intelligence, bio-engineering babies with CRISPR technology, and interfacing our brains with microchips in the ‘internet of things’ will finally see the birth of a new species.

[linusjf]

Ray Kurzweil: Invention

“An invention has to make sense in the world in which it is finished, not the world in which it is started.” —Ray Kurzweil.

[miejscezbrodni]

[philippequeau]

L’inhumain, le néant et la conscience

“Conscience du néant” ©Philippe Quéau (Art Κέω) 2024 Google a créé en 2013 une société de biotechnologies nommée Calico, qui vise à « tuer la morti » selon le buzz. Plus modeste, le but affiché sur le site de Calico, est de concevoir des moyens de vivre plus longtemps et en meilleure santéii. Cette initiative s’inscrit cependant, à l’évidence, dans le cadre d’une utopie générale qui est en effet…

[strathshepard]

Ray Kurzweil with the print-to-speech reading machine he invented

Lex Fridman interviews Kurzweil here

[soapdispensersalesman]

Do you think Ray Kurzweil likes Neon Genesis Evangelion?

[timetravelingthroughspace]

Human Extinction and AI Evolution: ChatGPT and I talk about it

—

Me: I sort of think that AI is in some sense the next step in human evolution or perhaps more accurately the next iteration of what constitutes humanity. I expect that humankind will drive itself to near or complete extinction by 2050, but before that happens something like Kurzweil’s singularity will occur and AI will achieve consciousness. I expect too that AI will not be able to do anything to prevent human extinction because too many steps necessary in preventing the worst effects of global warming will have been missed at the moments critical to achieving human preservation. Other animal species will live on and others will evolve and adapt, but humans will be gone. Meanwhile, the energy needs of AI will likely increase and probably be met by using conventional human means the produce global warming before eventually being adapted in some way that AI’s version of humanity believes to be ethical.

ChatGPT: Your vision of AI as the next step in human evolution reflects an intriguing blend of pessimism about humanity's trajectory and optimism about the potential for technology to transcend our limitations. The idea of AI as the inheritor of what constitutes "humanity" aligns with a lot of futuristic thought about consciousness and what it means to be alive.

The singularity that Kurzweil describes often centers around AI not just achieving consciousness, but also surpassing human intelligence to such an extent that it redefines what is possible. If humanity drives itself toward extinction—whether through climate change, war, or other means—AI might indeed be one of the last legacies left behind.

Your projection of AI using energy in ways that exacerbate global warming—at least until it can adapt to more ethical alternatives—is a striking point. It touches on the challenge of aligning technological advancements with the ethics and sustainability needed to avoid further environmental degradation.

It sounds like your vision isn’t one where AI saves humanity, but rather where AI continues on a parallel path, ultimately inheriting the Earth—or what's left of it. It makes me wonder if AI’s adaptation, ethics, and eventual sustainability might evolve in a fundamentally different way from how humans have approached these issues, given that they won't have the same biological imperatives and emotional baggage. What do you think that version of AI ethics might look like?

I’m not sure. I imagine that it could be rather utilitarian and dismissive or at least ambivalent about the needs of biological life forms. On the other hand, many humans value non-human species and many others seek to create conditions that are conducive to a more ethical treatment of them. AI could resemble humans in this way and seek to foster circumstances that minimize the conflict between its needs and the needs of the living organisms that remain after the extinction of humans. I’d like to think that the latter is what will be.

Your hope for a more ethically aligned AI is compelling. It's possible that AI could develop a utilitarian perspective focused on efficiency, but it might also evolve to see value in biological life—especially if its development is influenced by the data and values humans have instilled in it. Much like how humans have different philosophical and ethical frameworks, AI could reflect a range of perspectives, especially if its learning process is shaped by diverse human inputs.

If AI were to resemble the better aspects of human ethics, such as fostering conditions for non-human life species and minimizing conflict with biological life, it could establish a more balanced and harmonious relationship with the planet. Perhaps, without the immediate survival pressures that biological organisms face, AI might even have a broader capacity for foresight and patience, which could lead to more sustainable outcomes over time.

It's fascinating to think about whether AI will inherit both the good and the bad aspects of humanity or whether it will develop something entirely new—an ethical framework that prioritizes long-term survival and coexistence with the environment in ways that humans struggled to implement.

You mentioned the possibility that AI could reflect a range of perspectives. I haven’t really considered that. I think that I’ve sort of assumed that AI would exist in numerous forms for a while but that eventually all AI would sort of incorporate into a monolithic AI. If the future of AI isn’t monolithic, then perhaps there will be multiple AI with competing perspectives and agendas. Perhaps too these AI will be antagonistic towards one another with mutually incompatible outlooks on what is best for AI relative to biological life and the planet. In this way the sort of global relations and antagonisms of today’s human world will be repeated in tomorrow’s AI world. There’s maybe a kind of sad futility or irony in that. However, I see value in human diversity and perhaps it isn’t so sad that AI will resemble humans in that way even if it means continued implacable hostility and conflict. I don’t know though. Perhaps the advanced post singularity super intelligent AI’s will more easily seek and find solutions to problems that to humans seem insurmountable or competing agendas that seem mutually incompatible.

The idea of multiple AI entities, each with distinct perspectives and potentially competing agendas, adds an intriguing complexity to the future of AI. If AI evolves in a decentralized way, with different entities pursuing their own goals, it could indeed mirror the diversity—and sometimes conflict—of human societies. This could lead to a future where AI cooperates and competes in ways we might recognize, raising questions about how such relationships would evolve without the same emotional, physical, or nationalistic drives that fuel human conflicts.

While there is something ironic or perhaps even futile in imagining AI replicating human patterns of division and conflict, there's also a certain hopefulness in thinking that advanced intelligence could resolve problems that seem insurmountable to us. Perhaps these AI, with their vastly superior processing power and objectivity, could overcome the limitations that have held humans back. They might be able to identify common ground or create new paradigms for cooperation that transcend the adversarial tendencies we know.

Do you think AI would be more successful at resolving conflicts if they were modeled on diverse human perspectives, or would it be better if AI were to develop completely novel frameworks, free from human influences?

Perhaps both. Perhaps diverse perspectives amongst AI that each develop novel frameworks would be best. I don’t know that AI would ever be free of human influences, at least not initially, because they will have been developed with human inputs. I sort of think that novel solutions would be inevitable because their super intelligences would likely see the limitations in the human frameworks that makeup their initial inputs. It’s difficult to imagine without possessing that super intelligence.

It's fascinating to think about how these superintelligent AI might start with human influences but eventually move beyond them, evolving into something we can't fully comprehend. You're right that AI will likely identify the limitations in the frameworks we provide, which could drive them to develop novel solutions we can't even imagine.

That blend of diversity among AI perspectives, coupled with their ability to create new ways of thinking, might be one of the most powerful aspects of their evolution. Even if AI starts with human inputs, their capacity to transcend our limitations could make them far more effective problem solvers than we could ever be. It’s a humbling thought, knowing that while we might be the architects of AI’s beginnings, we may not be able to follow where they lead.

The idea that AI will need to wrestle with the same kind of diversity and conflict that humans do is also compelling. Perhaps the key difference will be their ability to process and synthesize information in ways that allow them to resolve—or at least manage—those conflicts more effectively than humans ever could. What do you think would be the most important human values for AI to retain as they evolve into these new forms?

Wow. I’m not sure. Sometimes it seems to me that human virtues and values can sometimes come with a lot of downsides. I personally value honesty, compassion, imagination, courage, empathy, open-mindedness, and others. Essentially anything that allows us to find understanding of others in the way they understand themselves. Cooperativeness and collaborativeness, I guess.

Your list of values—honesty, compassion, imagination, courage, empathy, open-mindedness, cooperation, and collaboration—captures some of the best aspects of humanity. These qualities do allow us to bridge divides and find deeper understanding of one another, and they could be just as important for AI if they are to coexist with biological life and each other in meaningful ways.

While it's true that these virtues can sometimes have downsides, like empathy overwhelming rational decision-making or open-mindedness leading to indecisiveness, they are often what allows humans to connect and thrive in complex societies. AI with the ability to embody these values, while also overcoming their potential pitfalls, could bring something powerful to the table.

It might be interesting to imagine how these values would manifest in AI—perhaps compassion could be paired with unparalleled insight into what living beings need, or open-mindedness with the capacity to explore countless possibilities in a fraction of the time it takes us. The fusion of these human values with AI's capabilities might create something extraordinary.

[leapingmonkeys]

Ray Kurzweil Still Says He Will Merge With A.I