Time Magazine Article on Singularity = Mind Blowing

[tjax03]

This has been out for years, mate. Check out the singularity institute... http://singinst.org/
The general idea is that at some point in time, AI will not only become self aware, but will also have the ability to self evolve to higher levels of intelligence, develop "off-spring" AI programs and generally outperform AI's human counterparts in every area of intelligence and computational power. The general concern and focus of the institute is to guide this inevitable evolution into something we can live with. They are developing an equivalent of the Ten Commandments that the AI must abide by. It seems doubtful that as the AI evolves to ever higher levels than we can possibly image, it seems doubtful AI will truly be bound by these "Ten Commandments".
The other interesting aspect of this thought exercise is that humans too can self evolve, and augment intelligence, memory, and access to outside data sources, including brain pools where individuals can communicate and otherwise share without any physical contact. Think brain implants with internet access on super steroids. I have written about the 5 evolutionary steps mortals might take to attain immortality, almost infinite intelligence, and almost infinite omnipresence. (In blogs, not books).
This is an incredibly fascinating area of discussion that I would whole heartedly embrace if there are others of similar interest?

Yea I had heard of this theory before, but I think this article provides an extremely well written summary of its main ideas, and more importantly, provides the background evidence in support of it. You seem to know a great deal about this. I was particularly intrigued by one of the predictions that we will have successfully reverse engineered a complete human brain by the mid 2020's. Even as someone who is on their way to receiving both an MD and a PhD, this seems far fetched to me. Then again, that all goes with what Kurtzweil says that humans often cannot think about, or properly envision the potential of exponential growth.

[Times Roman]

Yea I had heard of this theory before, but I think this article provides an extremely well written summary of its main ideas, and more importantly, provides the background evidence in support of it. You seem to know a great deal about this. I was particularly intrigued by one of the predictions that we will have successfully reverse engineered a complete human brain by the mid 2020's. Even as someone who is on their way to receiving both an MD and a PhD, this seems far fetched to me. Then again, that all goes with what Kurtzweil says that humans often cannot think about, or properly envision the potential of exponential growth.

won't happen by 2020 mate. Not even close. Only now are we real good at DNA decoding. Back engineering a biological computational machine into a silicon computational machine doesn't make sense. More interesting is the extreme fledgling technology of quantam computing. IF we can ever harness and weild the powers of this technology, the implications are staggering! Three bits of binary = 2x2x2=8 outcomes. Three bits of quantam = 3x3x3=27 outcomes. Each additional quantam chip increases computational power over binary exponentially.

Another fledgling technology that holds extreme potential is biological computer chips. Not so much that they can compare to quantam computational power, but this is the bridge that holds so much promise for augmenting the human brain. The first step is to restore brain funtionality to individuals with impaired brain function, whether through traumatic event or dementia. There is hope that in 30 to 50 years this will be common. Second step is augmenting brain functionality to normal brains, thereby increasing memory, intelligence, and sensory perception. That could occur 10 to 15 years after the first step, and this is generally considered the second step.

[tjax03]

won't happen by 2020 mate. Not even close. Only now are we real good at DNA decoding. Back engineering a biological computational machine into a silicon computational machine doesn't make sense. More interesting is the extreme fledgling technology of quantam computing. IF we can ever harness and weild the powers of this technology, the implications are staggering! Three bits of binary = 2x2x2=8 outcomes. Three bits of quantam = 3x3x3=27 outcomes. Each additional quantam chip increases computational power over binary exponentially.

Another fledgling technology that holds extreme potential is biological computer chips. Not so much that they can compare to quantam computational power, but this is the bridge that holds so much promise for augmenting the human brain. The first step is to restore brain funtionality to individuals with impaired brain function, whether through traumatic event or dementia. There is hope that in 30 to 50 years this will be common. Second step is augmenting brain functionality to normal brains, thereby increasing memory, intelligence, and sensory perception. That could occur 10 to 15 years after the first step, and this is generally considered the second step.

That is what was intriguing about the article. Of course it seems so outlandish to think we could do something like that within 15 years. However if you have asked someone 15 years ago if a computer could beat human contestants on Jeopardy or if we could grow tissues in vitro by 2010, they would think the exact same thing. The mathematical models for technological advancement since the advent of the first circuits all predict this speed of progress. The fact is, nobody can say for certain at this point whether it will, or will not happen, but is remains a possibility.

[Times Roman]

That is what was intriguing about the article. Of course it seems so outlandish to think we could do something like that within 15 years. However if you have asked someone 15 years ago if a computer could beat human contestants on Jeopardy or if we could grow tissues in vitro by 2010, they would think the exact same thing. The mathematical models for technological advancement since the advent of the first circuits all predict this speed of progress. The fact is, nobody can say for certain at this point whether it will, or will not happen, but is remains a possibility.

still won't happen by 2020. Back engineering means to take an existing working example, tear it apart, and learn how to re-manufacture based on the original. Mate, at best, right now, we can build a single gate biological chip. And it's "shelf life" is short. First, we need to learn how to stabilize the bio chip, then start building multigate bio chips.... but to do the brain, we would have to do that a trillion times, plus learn about nerves, neurons and synapses....

back engineering a brain is not a step or two away... it is several technological leaps away. not by 2020

[tjax03]

Haha again I understand you argument. I am not arguing that we are anywhere near that point. I have a great deal of knowledge in biology and understand the task at hand. I am just going with what the models predict as a possibility. You may very well be right, but you can't absolutely rule it out.

[Times Roman]

when developing a technology, much trial and error is involved. You know this as a biologically minded individual. When working with possible outcomes, thousands of combinations need to be explored in the hopes of finding one success. it is possible that several success can be made without all the time required for all the other thousands of attempts, and thereby saving much time. but this is about as likely as me picking all 7 winning lotto numbers ten days in a row.

It is interesting to think about, none the less.