Singularity: Humans and Machines

Singularity is the point of technological and biological advances where humans and technology are completely integrated. The idea is that we will use technology to enhance human intelligence. Transhumanists, like Dr. Nick Bostrom, believe "new types of cognitive tools will be used to amplify our intellectual capacity, improve our physical capabilities and even enhance our emotional well-being."

Dr. Ray Kurzweil predicts technological trends and measures the exponential growth of technology. He predicts by the 2030's "humans will become more non-biological than biological, capable of uploading our minds onto the Internet, living in various virtual worlds and even avoiding aging and evading death."

If technology approaches the point of infinity, there is a theory that technology and the artificial intelligence created by technology could eventually become smarter than human. The product of singularity may no longer be classified as human. Then, the humans affected may eventually become superintelligent machines capable of bringing the human race to extinction.

Nanotechnology is an important part of the current technology frenzy. Researchers have already created nanobots to cure Type 1 Diabetes and help repair spinal cord injuries in mice. Advances are being made in Parkinson's Disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory problems. Developers hope to use nanotechnology to improve quality of life by alleviating diseases and ailments and possibly even reverse the effects of certain diseases.

The advancement of singularity will bring immense changes, requiring much preparation now for the future. To adequately prepare for a life of technology and innovations will include education, education and more education. There will be a surplus of new medical information out there for us to filter through. The key is to pay attention to the important aspects. As a student desiring to become a doctor, I have to realize that I will be inundated with new information every day pertaining to medicine. This article shows how the world will be changing in the near future. As bioengineers, this is very relevant to our interests and to what we will be doing in the workforce.

CNN article:

Scientists: Humans and machines will merge in future

By: Lara Farrar

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/07/15/bio.tech/index.html