Technology may be advancing, but it doesn’t change the fact that the human body is limited. Eventually, human beings die.
Maybe immortality sounds like science fiction, especially when thinking about cyborgs, avatars, and robots, but for one Russian man, living forever in a machine’s body is the future, and it’s not so far away.
After Dmitry Itskov made a fortune as founder of a web publishing company, New Media Stars, he began thinking about the meaning of life and consciousness. Last February, Itskov gathered 30 top Russian scientists and created the “2045” Initiative in an attempt to make sense of it all and overcome the limitations of the human body.
The 2045 Initiative plan. (Image via 2045 Initiative)
The goal of the 2045 project is cybernetic immortality in about 30 years and features a number of “life-extension” projects.
How we will become immortal
The first phase of the avatar project is to create a humanoid robot, or avatar, along with a state-of-the-art brain-computer interface system. Then, a life-support system for the human brain needs to be developed and connected to the avatar. Next, the team of scientists needs to create an artificial brain to transfer original, individual consciousness into the avatar. A final goal that is a further off is the creation of hologram bodies that the 2045 initiative refers to as “bodies of light.”
The avatars will comprise software packages of artificial intelligence so the development of consciousness will really involve updating software.
The future
The brain transplant will not be the final solution to immortality, but will provide time for scientists to further develop technology and make it possible for a person’s consciousness to transfer to a fully non-biological carrier. In the meantime, it could benefit those with disabilities. (Imagine a paralyzed person regaining the ability to walk or a blind person seeing).
Itskov and supporters envision a life where these avatars can be used to replace humans that work in dangerous professions such as policemen and firefighters to eliminate risk of death.
According to the 2045 website, one day technologies such as phones and computers that currently exist outside of the body could be included right inside of the avatar.
Your avatar existence may actually be affordable, too. The group plans for mass production that will make them as affordable, efficient, and cost effective as today’s cars.
The 2045 Initiative envisions futuristic possibilities similar to those in the James Cameron movie, Avatar.
The project is based on studies by the Russian scientist Vladimir Deikhov, who specializes in organ transplantation.
Last month, Itskov wrote a letter to the United Nations, asking for support in this initiative.
“We believe that to move to a new stage of human evolution, mankind vitally needs a scientific revolution coupled with significant spiritual changes, inseparably linked, supplementing and supporting of each other. The vector of future development provided by technological advancement should assist the evolution of the consciousness of humanity, the individual and society, and be the transition to neo-humanity,” Itskov stated in the letter.
The 2045 Initiative will a hold a two-day conference in New York on June 15-16 to address the new strategy for human evolution. The conference will showcase technologies that are not yet available to the public.
Learn more about your future immortality on the 2045 website.
Read more about the goals of 2045 in the UN letter. Download it below.
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