Mind uploading is a concept that involves copying and transmitting a person’s consciousness into a computer . This would allow the individual to live digitally within a simulated environment, retaining their self-awareness, memories, and sense of self, but without a physical body [1]. In this simulated world, one could perform actions from real life and also actions that are impossible in the physical world [2].
Theoretically, mind uploading is considered possible, though it presents significant challenges [2]. The human brain is described as the most complex object known, and replicating its intricacy is extraordinarily difficult [3]. A crucial requirement for an uploaded brain to function is receiving the same inputs it always had, meaning the external world must be available through a simulation of senses like sight, hearing, smell, and touch, as well as bodily signals [4]. Sensory deprivation is considered a form of torture, highlights the necessity of an exceptionally accurate simulation to prevent serious mental consequences from even minor distortions. Currently, researchers lack the necessary computing power and scientific knowledge for such detailed simulations [5].
A primary task for successful mind uploading is the scanning and mapping of the complete 3D structure of the human brain, requiring an extraordinarily sophisticated machine. While scientists are at the very early stages of mapping, a complete human brain map may be possible in a few decades. However, simply identifying all 86 billion neurons and their trillions of connections is not sufficient, as each neuron constantly adjusts its functioning, which also needs to be modeled [5]. The necessary level of detail for the simulation, such as modeling at the molecular level, is currently unknown [5].
Potential shortcuts could involve how the brain computes to simulate only essential parts, or gradually replacing real neurons with artificial ones. However, science is currently very far from understanding how collections of neurons create thoughts and cannot yet replace even a single real neuron with an artificial one . Despite the challenges, the pace of technology, particularly in computing power and AI, is accelerating, and mind uploading is expected to have no problem finding funding due to interest from some billionaires seeking to live forever. While optimistic forecasts predict mind uploading as early as 2045 or the end of this century, the author Dobromir Rahnev from The Conversation believes these predictions are likely too optimistic and would be shocked if it works within the next 100 years, suggesting it might be possible within 200 years, meaning the first person to live forever could be born in our lifetime.
Source Reference IDs
Links:
- Mind Uploading
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_uploading
- Whole Brain Emulation: A Roadmap
LessWrong (Sandberg & Bostrom, 2008)
https://www.lesswrong.com/w/brain-emulation-roadmap
- Is It Possible to Transfer Human Consciousness to a Computer?
The Economic Times (2022)
- Whole Brain Emulation: A Giant Step for Neuroscience
Emerging Tech Brew (2019)
https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2019/08/15/whole-brain-emulation-giant-step-neuroscience
- The Concept of “Mind Uploading” and Its Potential Implications
LinkedIn (Prempeh, 2023)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/concept-mind-uploading-its-potential-implications-frank-b-prempeh-ii
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Author Credit:
Dobromir Rahnev, Associate Professor of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology
