Artificial Intelligence
Towards the end of deep learning and the beginning of AGI
Javier Ideami explains in this article how the volume of neurons, cortical columns in our neocortex and movement help us better understand how our brains work and therefore help us build more flexible and resilient artificial neural networks.
Voice clone of Anthony Bourdain prompts synthetic media ethics questions
The creators of “Roadrunner,” a documentary about the deceased celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, trained an AI…
More Than A Human
A New Era of Designer Babies May Be Based on Overhyped Science
There is a company in the US that offers genetic screen checks of embryos and IVF not only for couples at risk of passing on genetic diseases but also for healthy couples. The company has backing from some big names in Silicon Valley but scientists are not fully sold on their methods. …
More Than A Human
How long can a person live? The 21st century may see a record-breaker
New research suggests that there is near 100% probability that the current record of maximum reported age at death (which is 122 years) will be broken by 2100 and that there is a big chance we will see people living up to 130 years.
Artificial Intelligence
Can you train an AI that takes Minecraft…
More Than A Human
SOCOM To Test Anti-Aging Pill Next Year
US Special Operations Command expects to move into clinical trials next year of a pill that may inhibit or reduce some of the degenerative affects of aging and injury — part of a broader Pentagon push for “improved human performance.” “These efforts are not about creating physical traits that don’t already exist naturally. This is about enhancing the mission readiness of…
More Than A Human
These companies hope to (literally) resurrect the dead
Extending human healthspan and therefore extending human life is not a pipe dream from the fringes of science anymore, as I try to show in this newsletter. Here is another example — The Methuselah Foundation, which goal is exactly that, partners with NASA on multiple challenges to help solve problems facing humanity in space and as an offshoot, help increase human healthspan. …
Two things before we jump into this week’s issue.
First, I’d like to welcome two new patrons on Patreon. Eric joined on a Transhuman level and Steve joined as a Posthuman. Thank you both for your support! You can join them on Patreon if you would like to support the newsletter, too.
Second — I have started working on a series of meetings on biotech and its impact on manufacturing, food production, medicine and more. I’m looking for people interested in joining the team and help with organising the events — from looking for speakers to managing social media and…
This is a special issue for two reasons. First, it’s the pi issue (314). Second — it’s been six years since the first issue of H+ Weekly has been sent. I did not expect back then, sitting in the cafe of Google Campus in London, that six years later I will be still preparing this newsletter every week for over 600 people. And I did not miss a single week.
Thank you for being here and reading this. Here’s to the next years of learning what new scifi things become a reality! 🥂
Now, back to business.
This week —…
More Than A Human
Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests
By counting blood cells and footsteps in three large cohorts in the U.S., the U.K. and Russia, researchers have estimated that if everything goes well, humans can live up to 120–150 years.
Quest for prosthetic retinas progresses toward human trials, with a VR assist
This artificial retina does not require any cameras or extensive wiring to work. It uses an…
More Than A Human
The Rise of Neurotechnology Calls for a Parallel Focus on Neurorights
Chile has started working on a bill to protect the right to personal identity, free will, mental privacy, equitable access to technologies that augment human capacities, and the right to protection against bias and discrimination. To my knowledge, this is the first initiative in the world that aims to distribute new enhancement technologies fairly and safely…
More Than A Human
Can Machines Control Our Brains?
With the advancements in brain implants and brain-computer interfaces, some people are afraid this will enable true mind control via a chip inside the head. But the real science and research say that the biological obstacles of mind hacking are far greater than the technological challenges, as this article from Quanta Magazine explains.
Robotic ‘Third Thumb’ use can alter brain representation of the hand
Adding…
