Brain-machine interfaces as a challenge to the â€œmoment of singularityâ€

Philip Kennedy

doi:10.3389/fnsys.2014.00213

Abstract

Ray Kurzweil predicts that artificial intelligence will equal and then surpass human intelligence in the not-too-distant future, in what he calls the “moment of singularity.” Advances in brain/machine interfacing (BMI) may be viewed as a challenge to this futuristic prediction. BMIs strive to instrument human brains with unlimited memory, calculation, and communication abilities, which provide a competitive edge to human brain power versus artificial intelligence. This paper makes a case for a hybrid human/robot that merges the brain function with artificial intelligence components, and prevents the “moment of singularity” from ever occurring.

Highlights

Ray Kurzweil predicts that artificial intelligence will equal and surpass human intelligence in the not-too-distant future, in what he calls the “moment of singularity.”
brain/machine interfacing (BMI) strive to instrument human brains with unlimited memory, calculation, and communication abilities, which provide a competitive edge to human brain power versus artificial intelligence
KURZWEIL PREDICTIONS Kurzweil has made predictions regarding computers and artificial intelligence in his four books (Kurzweil, 1992, 1999, 2005, 2012). In his 2005 book “The Singularity is Near, when Humans transcend Biology” (Kurzweil, 2005), he predicts that by the year 2045 artificial intelligence will be equal to human intelligence, an event he calls the “moment of singularity.”

Summary

Introduction

Ray Kurzweil predicts that artificial intelligence will equal and surpass human intelligence in the not-too-distant future, in what he calls the “moment of singularity.” Advances in brain/machine interfacing (BMI) may be viewed as a challenge to this futuristic prediction. This paper makes a case for a hybrid human/robot that merges the brain function with artificial intelligence components, and prevents the “moment of singularity” from ever occurring. Rather than just making the case for artificial intelligence within a computer, he alludes to the scenario wherein we will enhance our present brains.

Results

Conclusion