Hey. Everybody, welcome back.
To the. Elon Musk podcast this.
Is a show where we discuss the critical crossroads that shape
SpaceX, Tesla X The Boring Company.
And Neurolink. I'm your host, Will.
Walden Ray Kurzweil, who's a futurist and a computer
scientist, has a new book out. It's called The Singularity is
Nearer now. He also had some previous
predictions that artificial intelligence will reach human
intelligence by 2029, and by 2045, humans will merge all
together with AI. Kurzweil, who is currently a
principal researcher and AI visionary at Google, is known
for his bold forecasts, including the melding of human
consciousness with AI, which he refers to as The Singularity.
Now, a book that he wrote before in 2005 was called The
Singularity is Near. He saw that the advancement of
AI was to the point where it matches human intelligence.
But in his latest work, he reaffirms this belief that the
milestones are also on track. And according to Kurzweil, AI
will achieve human level intelligence in a few years,
just in 2029, and he's consistently upheld that
prediction. Now the singularity as described
by him is a future period during which human and AI consciousness
will merge, fundamentally transforming human capabilities.
He envisions this transformation facilitated by brain computer
interfaces and also nanobots. Now these nanobots, tiny robots
the size of molecules, will non invasively enter human brains,
augmenting intelligence exponentially.
His predictions, often deem very speculative, draw both interest
and skepticism. His assertion that intelligence
will expand a million fold by 2045 challenges our current
understanding of cognitive science.
He says we don't even understand how our own brains work, and
critics have questioned the feasibility of replicating and
enhancing human brain functions through AI and nanotechnology.
But despite this skepticism, Kurzweil remains optimistic to
move forward. He draws parallels with the
evolution of cell phones, suggesting that initial
resistance to new technologies eventually gives way to
widespread acceptance. And he stated, people do say I
don't want that, but they thought they didn't want phones
either. Now, the accessibility and
utility of phones is unmatched now and the utility has evolved
over time. Now.
Kurzweil also touches on the socio economic implications of
AI advancements. He believes that while new
technologies may initially benefit the wealthy, over time
they become affordable and accessible to the broader
population. He cites the proliferation of
mobile phones as an example of the trend, where the technology
that was once expensive and limited is now ubiquitous and
essential. Everybody has a cell phone now.
The concept of achieving longevity escape velocity is
another provocative idea from Kurzweil.
He suggests that advancements in technology will allow humans to
outpace aging, effectively extending life indefinitely.
You could live forever now. This concept involves creating
AI avatars or replicants and even resorting to cryogenic
freezing as a backup plan. Now, his approach to a is
potential risks is notably nonchalant.
He acknowledges the necessity of monitoring AI developments but
also dismisses outright opposition.
He says the advantages are so profound, and he indicates that
the benefits of AI advancements far outweigh the potential
dangers. This view aligns with his
involvement in developing the As a Lamar AI Principles, which are
guidelines for responsible AI development now.
The exponential growth in computer power underpins
Kurzweil's confidence in his predictions.
He argues that the doubling of price performance every 15
months will drive AI advancements.
This growth, coupled with improved algorithms and data,
will address current limitations in AI, such as contextual
memory, common sense reasoning, and social interactions.
He envisions a future where AI seamlessly integrates with human
brains, enhancing cognitive ability without users being
aware of the actual process. He describes a scenario where
accessing information from a cloud computer would be as
instantaneous as a thought, eliminating the need for
traditional input and output devices like phones or
computers, keyboards or tablets. Now addressing the issue of AI
safety, though, he maintains that major companies prioritize
aligning AI with human values over creating new advancements.
This assurance, however, is met with skepticism by those who
distrust tech companies commitment to safety over profit
and innovation. The fast-paced nature of tech
often prioritizes progress over cautious implementation.
Now, Kurzweil's personal routine reflects his dedication to LON
activity. He takes about 80 pills every
day, and he plans for cryogenic preservation and creating a
digital avatar of himself. He's already.
Experimented with this concept, having compiled his father's
writings to create a digital likeness, though he admits it is
only a little bit like talking to him and represents a step
towards his vision of digital immortality.
Now, the ethical and societal implications of Kurzweil's
predictions are vast. The potential to digitally
resurrect the deceased to create AI avatars and extend human life
raises profound questions about identity, what is your
consciousness and the definition of actual life on Earth.
These advancements could challenge the existing legal and
moral frameworks as well, requiring new approaches to
address these unprecedented issues.
Now, his view that AI will create more jobs than it
displaces is also a contentious point, while he acknowledges the
displacement of certain jobs. He argues.
That new technologies historically create new
categories. He envisions a future with Ubi
or Universal basic income to cushion the impacts of job
disruptions, predicting its implementation by the twenty
30s. His his optimism also extends to
addressing biases in AI. He recognizes that AI systems
learn from biased human data, but believes progress is being
made in mitigating these biases. The challenge, According to him,
is ensuring fair data use in developing legal frameworks to
support equitable AI development.
And on the topic of quantum computing, he's skeptical.
He believes that current advancements in traditional
computing, including the development of 3D chips, will
suffice for the foreseeable future.
Quantum computing, while promising, has yet to
demonstrate its practical value, according to Kurzweil.
Now, that just may be a matter of time, though.
Now, he also reiterates his belief that AI in human
intelligence will not be in opposition but will integrate
seamlessly, saying it is not going to be US versus AIAI is
going to be inside of ourselves, encapsulating his vision of a
future where human and artificial intelligence
coalesce. Hey, thank you so much for
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