Technological Singularity and How it Could Help Humans Live Longer

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Technological Singularity refers to an impending point in time when artificial intelligence (AI) will surpass human intelligence, triggering an unprecedented era of innovation and transformation. The idea of an era dawning upon us of super intelligence was first proposed by science fiction writer Vernor Vinge and brought further into mainstream thinking of futurists such as Ray Kurzweil. The prospect of Technological Singularity presents incredible potential for society, research and innovation, and discoveries that can unlock the keys to human longevity, without even discounting the possibility for humans to be come immortal if machine intelligence can help us to repair, restore our body or even migrate into to synthetic form. While AI is currently evolving at a rate of knots, it is important to note the idea of technological singularity is still not yet upon us, but as new advancements in AI continue to wow us, there is a very real prospect that humanity could be just around the corner from a new era of super intelligence and discovery.

Renown futurist Ray Kurzweil has predicted the Singularity's will arrive sometime in the next 30 years, and even predicts around 2045. Currently AI systems appear to really excel in specific tasks but still fall down in the general problem-solving abilities that embody the characteristics of human intelligence. However, as AI continues to advance and get better at problem solving, and combine this with the speed at which it can mine data, it could result in an explosion of quick solutions and answers for humanity at the click of a button.

Further intersection of AI and biotechnology could result in breakthroughs in our understanding of biology, aging, and diseases. This could accelerate the discovery of new drugs, treatments, and advance and speed up how illnesses and critical conditions are diagnosed, treated and even eradicated.

Just think about how an advanced AI system could quickly sit back and analyse one’s genetic makeup, lifestyle, and biomarkers (indicators of biological state or conditions that are measurable, think evaluating blood pressure, cholesterol levels, as risk factors for disease). This timely analysis could provide both personalised and precise medical advice and action plans. Biological flags for diseases could be detected well in advance before symptoms even appear, resuting in early intervention. One example could be cellular repair or replacement therapies, which are also advancing due to research. Advanced intelligence will only help drive such therapies further when coupled with advancements in the field of regenerative medicine and nanotechnology, as such therapies are made to be incredibly precise and targeted.

AI may even allow us to work out how to employ tiny Nanobots in the body to precisely alter errant cells or conditions, or we could grow new organs in a labs as scientists are able to understand the complex systems and structures of the body better by tapping into super intelligent, superspeed AI systems to help them smash through new frontiers and prior obstacles that prevented technological advancements.

These concepts are highly speculative and still in the realms of sci-fi, however some futurists have even predicted the fusion of human consciousness with machines, which could in turn allow a form of human life to exist indefinitely. Think about a future time where we will no longer be held captive to the natural effects of aging, which could be reversed or our bodies replaced or rejuvenated completely.

The path to machine intelligence and capabilities overtaking unedited human biological intelligence comes with the risk of social and regulatory challenges. However, the road to this future is fraught with ethical, philosophical, and societal challenges, and ensuring the technology is not just available to those with means or privilege is also important. Also, as human lifespan could place significant pressure on resources on earth, which could force a rethink on the landscape societal foundations are built on such as how we work, when we retire, how to distribute finite resources on the planet, distribution, and possible population control.

It can be argued that AI will also advance the understanding of our universe and accelerate endeavours into space and discovery, so it is foreseeable that potential over-population could be offset by the discovery of new worlds and the establishment or regeneration of new environments, as super intelligence allows the human race to solve more and more problems that were once only dreamt up in science fiction novels.

The future is bright as we head towards a new technological era that will advance humanity as we know it. We will just need to put in place a system to foster all these ideas coming at us quickly, so that we catch and run with the great advancements that benefit all.