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 listening today. I really do appreciate your
support. If you could take a second and hit the subscribe or the follow button on whatever podcast platform that you're. Listening on. Right. Now I greatly appreciate. It it helps out the show tremendously and you'll never miss an episode and each episode is about 10 minutes. Or less to get you caught up quickly and. Please if you want to support the show even more. Go to. Patreon.com/stagezero and please take care of yourselves and each other and I'll see you tomorrow.