Introduction

Transhumanism aims to rise above human limitations through technology, with AI playing a crucial role in enhancing physical and intellectual capacities. Ben Goertzel, CEO of SingularityNET, highlights how AI is revolutionizing medicine, cybernetics, and redefining human capabilities.

The Role of AI in Transhumanism

As AI disrupts industries, including healthcare, and is embraced by those looking to extend human life, the concept of transhumanism is rapidly moving from the realm of science fiction to reality. Companies like Elon Musk’s Neuralink implants, Open Bionics robotic limbs, and longevity medicine are at the forefront of this movement.

“It’s not like transhumanists don’t like being humans; it’s just we want humanity to grow more than what it has meant historically,” Ben Goertzel told Decrypt in an interview.

Goertzel also serves as the chair of the transhumanist organization Humanity+, which defines transhumanism as an intellectual and cultural movement dedicated to fundamentally improving the human condition through applied reason.

AI’s Impact on Various Fields

AI aligns with the goals of transhumanism due to the movement’s reliance on advanced technologies to create significant change. Goertzel pointed to nanotechnology as an area in which AI could make greater strides than humans.

“AI is way better at designing stuff at the nano-scale, or the femto-scale beyond that, than humans are,” he said.

AI can also be very helpful for coding the basic language in different parts of the brain used to describe things, optimizing for retail and manufacturing.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Detractors of transhumanism say the movement is “playing God” or is a replacement for religion, and that the only ones who will benefit will be the wealthy and elites. Goertzel said this won’t always be the case and emphasized the role of blockchain and cryptocurrency in lowering cost and access to human-enhancing technology.

“In theory, the blockchain and cryptocurrency worlds can be helpful in combating those issues by creating a parallel economic system that’s not tied down by the legacy economic systems,” he said.

While Goertzel champions transhumanism and AI, he acknowledged there should be limitations to what research should be done. He noted that laws are already being developed with such limits in mind.

“I don’t think attempts to ban AI are gonna help whatsoever because AI is providing too much useful value to too many people, too many businesses,” he said.

Edited by Ryan Ozawa.

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