Last week, I briefly talked about Ray Kurzweil (who popularized the Singularity) and near future technology like driverless cars, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and robots. This week, let’s dig deeper …

The rise of artificial intelligence

There was excitement on artificial intelligence in the past (1970s and 1980s) but because computational technology wasn’t fast enough, artificial intelligence flopped. But now there is a revival – and excitement – of artificial intelligence because computational power is fast enough (and big enough data storage)

Consider the chart below:

According to the singularity meme master, Ray Kurzweil, by 2029 you can buy a computer that has the processing power of a human brain for $1000. Because of Moores’ law, processing power keeps doubling every 24 months, by 2060 a computer chip will have the process power of all human brains on Earth.

Yeah – I know … processing power isn’t enough. You need smart software to enable artificial intelligence. AI was able to play Jeopardy – and beat the champions at it … freaky.

Traditionally, computers are programmed to do specific tasks; not anymore … thanks to machine learning, computers are learning on their own. Watch the video below for a full explaination:

A.I looks promising in 2016, thanks to advancement in computing power and storage. A.I is real shit – Elon Musk is scared that A.I is going to take over humanity, so he donated $10,000,000.00 USD to make sure A.I doesn’t destroy mankind. Ha.

Rise of the bots …

The dream is finally here: a walking robot, untethered, powered by a battery pack. It’s able to walk on uneven terrains and even open doors and pick up stuff. The robot looks ready for war – just attach a machine gun to it’s arm. 😉

So what happens when you add robotic and A.I? You get Pepper, a talking robot (he’s for sale)

The future is here. Robots like Pepper is available on a consumer level. Another 10 years, home robots like Pepper are going to be common place, much like how everyone owns a smart phone nowadays.

I have talked about A.I and Robotics because it’s the biggest game changer.

There are more near future technology, including …

• nano-technology
• 3D printing (including organic – think of printing a new ear or kidney)
• cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum)
• virtual reality
• electric cars (and driverless technology)
• colonizing mars (thanks, Elon Musk!)

But wait, there’s more …

Life extension – it’s time to live forever?

Aubrey de Grey wants to end aging.  He believes that within 30 years, there is a 50/50 chance that you can live forever. How? Dr. Aubrey De Grey thinks that if we can repair and maintain the body  (like gene therapy, stem cell injection etc), we can live forever.

At first, I thought Aubrey de Grey is a crack head. But the more I listen to him, the more he makes sense – after all, he’s a doctor. Check out his interview above and you will have your mind blown.

Aubrey de Grey’s research organization: http://www.sens.org

So what does the singularity mean for the Uber Human?

The future looks bright. We won’t get flying cars anytime soon, but we’ll have virtual technology, strong artificial intelligence, 3D printing, decentralized banking, robotics, nano-technology etc … the list is endless.

So what does this mean for you? Stay healthy and invest your money wisely so you can buy life extension technology  – you might just be able to live forever.

Until then, here are some books I recommend …

Recommended reading: 

• The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology by Ray Kurzweil
• Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era by James Barrat
• Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future by Martin Ford
• Ending Aging: The Rejuvenation Breakthroughs That Could Reverse Human Aging in Our Lifetime by Aubrey de Grey

Until next week,

Your comrade,

Max Uber