Toggle light / dark theme

We live at a time when humanity has never experienced such a rapid pace of change. We’re in the midst of unprecedented technological change, cultural change, political change, and philosophical change.

Some observers predict that the pace of change will slow down, but others anticipate that it will in fact increase — largely due to artificial intelligence leaping forward in capability, to the point where it exceeds human cognitive capabilities in every dimension.

How credible is such a possibility? How should humanity prepare for it? What values should guide us in our reactions and proactions to various new opportunities and potential threats that seem to be emerging almost daily?

The guest in this London Futurists webinar, Ben Goertzel, has arguably thought longer, harder, more creatively, and more boldly, about these questions, than anyone else on the planet. But he’s not just a thinker; Ben is very much also a doer — an organiser, an entrepreneur, an architect, an engineer, and a leader of too many initiatives to mention them all individually.

But let’s briefly highlight:
Ben’s role as the long-time champion of the concept of AGI, artificial general intelligence;
his role as the founder and leader of SingularityNET, with its mission to create a decentralized, democratic, inclusive and beneficial AGI;
his leadership roles at Humanity+, the international transhumanist organisation, where he has served since 2008 as either Vice Chair or Chair;
and his commitment to the writing and publication of mind-expanding ideas, such as his 2010 book \.

Human cyborgs are individuals who integrate advanced technology into their bodies, enhancing their physical or cognitive abilities. This fusion of man and machine blurs the line between science fiction and reality, raising questions about the future of humanity, ethics, and the limits of human potential. From bionic limbs to brain-computer interfaces, cyborg technology is rapidly evolving, pushing us closer to a world where humans and machines become one.

Shocking transformation, futuristic nightmare, beyond human limits, man merges with machine, terrifying reality, future is now, ultimate evolution, secret experiments exposed, technology gone too far, sci-fi turns real, mind-blowing upgrade, science fiction no more, unstoppable machine man, breaking human boundaries, dark future ahead, human cyborgs, cyborg technology, cyborg implants, cyborg augmentation, cyborg evolution, cyborg future, cyborg innovations, cyborg advancements, cyborg ethics, cyborg integration, cyborg society, cyborg culture, cyborg development, cyborg research, cyborg science, cyborg engineering, cyborg design, cyborg applications, cyborg trends, cyborg news, cyborg updates, cyborg breakthroughs, cyborg discoveries, cyborg implants, bionic limbs, neural interfaces, prosthetic enhancements, biohacking, cybernetics, exoskeletons, brain-computer interfaces, robotic prosthetics, augmented humans, wearable technology, artificial organs, human augmentation, smart prosthetics, neuroprosthetics, biomechatronics, implantable devices, synthetic biology, transhumanism, bioengineering, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, automation, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, haptic feedback, sensory augmentation, cognitive enhancement, biofeedback, neurofeedback, brain mapping, neural networks, deep learning, biotechnology, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, stem cells, gene therapy, personalized medicine, precision medicine, biomedical engineering, medical devices, health tech, digital health, telemedicine, eHealth, mHealth, health informatics, wearable sensors, fitness trackers, smartwatches, health monitoring, remote monitoring, patient engagement, health apps, health data, electronic health records, health analytics, health AI, medical robotics, surgical robots, rehabilitation robotics, assistive technology, disability tech, inclusive design, universal design, accessibility, adaptive technology, human-machine interaction, human-computer interaction, user experience, user interface, UX design, UI design, interaction design, design thinking, product design, industrial design, innovation, technology trends, future tech, emerging technologies, disruptive technologies, tech startups, tech entrepreneurship, venture capital, startup ecosystem, tech innovation, research and development, R&D, scientific research, science and technology, STEM, engineering, applied sciences, interdisciplinary research, academic research, scholarly articles, peer-reviewed journals, conferences, symposiums, workshops, seminars, webinars, online courses, e-learning, MOOCs, professional development, continuing education, certifications, credentials, skills development, career advancement, job market, employment trends, workforce development, labor market, gig economy, freelancing, remote work, telecommuting, digital nomads, coworking spaces, collaboration tools, project management, productivity tools, time management, work-life balance, mental health, wellness, self-care, mindfulness, meditation, stress management, resilience, personal growth, self-improvement, life coaching, goal setting, motivation, inspiration, success stories, case studies, testimonials, reviews, ratings, recommendations, referrals, networking, professional associations, industry groups, online communities, forums, discussion boards, social media, content creation, blogging, vlogging, podcasting, video production, photography, graphic design, animation, illustration, creative arts, performing arts, visual arts, music, literature, film, television, entertainment, media, journalism, news, reporting, storytelling, narrative, communication, public speaking, presentations, persuasion, negotiation, leadership, management, entrepreneurship, business, marketing, advertising, branding, public relations, sales, customer service, client relations, customer experience, market research, consumer behavior, demographics, psychographics, target audience, niche markets, segmentation, positioning, differentiation, competitive analysis, SWOT analysis, strategic planning, business development, growth strategies, scalability, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, ethics, compliance, governance, risk management, crisis management, change management, organizational behavior, corporate culture, diversity and inclusion, team building, collaboration, innovation management, knowledge management, intellectual property, patents, trademarks, copyrights.

It’s difficult to build devices that replicate the fluid, precise motion of humans, but that might change if we could pull a few (literal) strings. At least, that’s the idea behind “cable-driven” mechanisms in which running a string through an object generates streamlined movement across an object’s different parts. Take a robotic finger, for example: You could embed a cable through the palm to the fingertip of this object and then pull it to create a curling motion.

While cable-driven mechanisms can create real-time motion to make an object bend, twist, or fold, they can be complicated and time-consuming to assemble by hand. To automate the process, researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed an all-in-one 3D printing approach called “Xstrings.” Part design tool, part fabrication method, Xstrings can embed all the pieces together and produce a cable-driven device, saving time when assembling bionic robots, creating art installations, or working on dynamic fashion designs.

In a paper to be presented at the 2025 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI2025), the researchers used Xstrings to print a range of colorful and unique objects that included a red walking lizard robot, a purple wall sculpture that can open and close like a peacock’s tail, a white tentacle that curls around items, and a white claw that can ball up into a fist to grab objects.

James Fodor discusses what he is researching, mind uploading etc.

As of 2020, James Fodor, is a student at the Australian National University, in Canberra, Australia. James’ studies at university have been rather diverse, and have at different times included history, politics, economics, philosophy, mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, and biology. Eventually he hopes to complete a PhD in the field of computational neuroscience.

James also have a deep interest in philosophy, history, and religion, which he periodically writes about on his blog, which is called The Godless Theist. In addition, James also has interests in and varying levels of involved in skeptical/atheist activism, effective altruism, and transhumanism/emerging technologies. James is a fan of most things sci-fi, including Star Trek, Dr Who, and authors such as Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov.

Many thanks for watching!

Consider supporting SciFuture by:
a) Subscribing to the SciFuture YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=TheRationalFuture b) Donating.
- Bitcoin: 1BxusYmpynJsH4i8681aBuw9ZTxbKoUi22
- Ethereum: 0xd46a6e88c4fe179d04464caf42626d0c9cab1c6b.
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scifuture c) Sharing the media SciFuture creates: http://scifuture.org.

Kind regards.

“The Future of Human Evolution: AI, Genetic Engineering, and the Rise of Post-Human Civilization”

What happens when human evolution is no longer shaped by nature but by artificial intelligence and genetic engineering? This story explores the rise of AI-enhanced humans in a futuristic medieval world, where the fusion of bioengineering, AI consciousness, and neural implants creates a post-human era. As civilizations embrace transhumanism, traditional humanity faces extinction, replaced by a new species of synthetic life. Will this AI-driven society achieve ultimate enlightenment, or will it lose the essence of what makes us human?
The battle between future civilization, advanced technology, and those clinging to the past intensifies as digital immortality reshapes the meaning of existence. This cybernetic future forces us to question our identity—can genetic modification and AI singularity coexist with the soul of humanity? Witness the evolution of intelligence, the struggle between AI vs humanity, and the uncertain fate of a world where consciousness itself is no longer biological.

0:00 — Introduction: The Future of Human Evolution.
8:25 — AI & Genetic Engineering: Unlocking Human Potential.
16:50 — Ethical Dilemmas of Genetic Modification.
25:15 — The Rise of Engineered Intelligence.
33:40 — Genetic Enhancements & Social Stratification.
42:05 — AI in Education, Work, and Society.
50:30 — The Quest for Longevity & Immortality.
58:55 — Resistance Movements Against Enhancement.
1:07:20 — The First AI-Integrated Humans.
1:15:45 — The Breakdown of Traditional Humanity.
1:24:10 — Post-Human Civilizations & Digital Consciousness.
1:32:35 — The Divide Between Organic & Artificial Life.
1:41:00 — The Singularity & The End of Natural Evolution.
1:49:25 — What Comes After Humanity?

Sources.
Bostrom, N. (2014). Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press.
Harari, Y. N. (2017). Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. Harper.
Kurzweil, R. (2005). The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology. Penguin.
Tegmark, M. (2017). Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Knopf.
Goertzel, B. (2020). Artificial General Intelligence: Concept, State of the Art, and Future Directions. Springer.

#FutureOfHumanity #AIandGenetics #PostHumanEra #ArtificialEvolution #CyberneticFuture.

YOU MAY LIKE

It is estimated that about 80 million people worldwide live with a tremor. For example, those who live with Parkinson’s disease. The involuntary periodic movements sometimes strongly affect how patients are able to perform daily activities, such as drinking from a glass or writing.

Wearable soft robotic devices offer a potential solution to suppress such tremors. However, existing prototypes are not yet sophisticated enough to provide a real remedy.

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS), the University of Tübingen, and the University of Stuttgart under the Bionic Intelligence Tübingen Stuttgart (BITS) collaboration want to change this. The team equipped a biorobotic arm with two strands of strapped along the forearm.