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Where is humanity going, and what will we be like when we get there? Do we really have less than 15 years before computers match the intellectual and emotional capabilities of humans, and less than 30 years before artificial intelligence surpasses humanity? Join us for the Season 7 premiere of StarTalk Radio as Neil deGrasse Tyson examines futurist Ray Kurzweil’s predictions about “the Singularity” with the help of guest neuroscientist Dr. Gary Marcus and co-host Chuck Nice. Find out why Ray thinks that we’ll be able to directly link our neocortexes to the cloud, yielding an increase in brainpower the likes of which we haven’t seen since humans developed our frontal cortex millions of years ago. Ponder the possibilities of nanobot computers the size of blood cells, preloaded with information, that can enter our brains through capillaries and make us smarter. Throughout the episode, Prof. Marcus plays devil’s advocate, reminding us that Ray’s predictions are often at odds with mainstream projections of scientific and technological achievement. Finally, explore the potential benefits of advancements in biotechnology and find out about a company that is already using 3D printing to create human organs that are being “installed” into animals with some measure of success.
NOTE: All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: Gazing into the Future with Ray Kurzweil.
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