Would you like to live forever? What do you think about the idea that your conscious mind will be uploaded into a hologram? How far should scientists go in their quest for human immortality?
Theses are just some of the many questions that concern Project Avatar 2045.
More than 50 world-leading scientist, including physicists, biologists, anthropologists, sociologists, psychologists, and philosophers are trying to outline a strategy for further development of the humankind.
Dmitry Itskov, a Russian media and founder of 2045 believes it is possible to construct robots that will store a human’s mind and keep that consciousness working forever. This should be accomplished within ten years Itskov says.
If this could be achieved you would never die.
Would you like to continue living as a hologram?
“This project is leading down the road to immortality. A person with a perfect Avatar will be able to remain part of society.
People don’t want to die,” Itskov says.
Basically, what these scientists want to do is to incrementally move the human mind into more disembodied and–no better way to say it–futuristic vehicles: first a humanoid robot controlled entirely by a human brain via brain-machine interface, then a conscious human brain transplanted into a humanoid robot, then consciousness uploaded to a computer, and finally a hologram that contains a full conscious human mind.
Earlier this year, Itskov met with the Dalai Lama and received His Holiness’ support for his 2045 Avatar Project.
During the meeting, they discussed the three major steps of 2045 Avatar Project. First, the creation of a human-like robot dubbed “Avatar A,” and a state-of-the-art brain-computer interface system to link the mind with it.
Next, it be created a life support system for the human brain, which connects to the “Avatar A,” turning into “Avatar B.” The third step, named “Avatar C”, is developing an artificial brain in which to transfer one’s individual consciousness with the goal of achieving cybernetic immortality.
Creating the “Avatar C” through developing an artificial brain and understanding the nature of human consciousness, says the Dalai Lama, could be attainable, and would be a great benefit to future development of science.
“In the last few years, scientists now begin to show an interest about consciousness, as well as brain specialists, neuroscientists, who also begin to show interest about consciousness or mind. I feel that over the next decades modern science will become more complete,” said the Dalai Lama.
“So up to now the matter side of science has been highly technical, highly advanced, but the mind side has not been adequate. This project, definitely, is helpful to get more knowledge.”
Within 30 years Itskov anticipates developing hologram-type bodies, instead of tangible robotic ones that can “host” human consciousness.
“Holograms give plenty of advantages. You can walk through walls, move at the speed of light,” Itskov says. “Remember in Star Wars, Obi-Wan’s hologram? That was pretty amazing.”
In February of 2012 the first Global Future 2045 Congress was held in Moscow.
Itskov, who thinks this is a new strategy for the future of humanity, hopes he will be able to collaborate with scientists from around the world.
Itskov and his colleagues may be optimistic, but there are many who consider this project as a waste of time and money.
The human brain is still a great unknown mystery to experts, and we do not posses a lot of knowledge about consciousness either. So, how can we copy our brain, many people wonder.
There will be many debates whether Project Avatar 2045 is a new era for humankind or simply scientific madness.
