The Singularity Is Near: How Technologies Will Change Society and the Mind

The famous inventor and futurist reflects on how, in the coming years, technological progress may transform people and society.

Among the possible (or debatable) changes he highlights:

• faster development of technologies, which could multiply human intelligence—up to millions of times;

• reworking the surrounding world with the help of nanobots;

• increasing life expectancy far beyond 120 years;

• connecting the human brain with a “cloud” and expanding cognitive capabilities;

• digital “return” of departed people based on their data and DNA.

Kurzweil compares his past predictions with reality and discusses where further technological shifts will lead. He talks about the radical extension of life, nanomedicine, the growing role of renewable energy, and other directions, and also draws attention to the risks posed by the rapid development of biotech, nanotech, and artificial intelligence.