Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/5203
nano enhancing human Performance bio info cogno genes bits atoms neurons 31 www.hplusmagazine.com may soon provide treatments, if not outright cures, for most diseases; and nanotechnology and nanomedicine can address yet more ills," writes Joy. "Together they could significantly extend our average life span and improve the quality of our lives. Yet, with each of these technologies, a sequence of small, individually sensible advances leads to an accumulation of great power and, concomitantly, great danger." Much research has occurred since Kurzweil and Joy first brought broader public awareness of these emerging 21 st -century technologies. Emerging — as well as converging — these technologies now include the GNR technologies plus cognitive science and neurotechnology: the newer formulation is Nano-Bio-Info- Cogno (NBIC). u.S. government studies now recognize that the convergence of the NBIC technologies can vastly "improve human performance over the next ten to twenty years." h+ contacted Professor Nick Bostrom of the James Martin 21st Century School at Oxford university to ask him about NBIC convergence as well as Joy's concerns for the future of the human species. Professor Bostrom, also the director of the Future of Humanity Institute, confirmed the danger, but with some significant qualifications. "Some of the biggest existential risks come from expected future developments in the NBIC technologies area," he suggests. "To that extent Joy is right." But, he goes on, "Joy also suggested that our response to this threat should be to relinquish exploration of some fairly large parts of this area." He points out that this is a complicated proposition. "First, we might need some advanced NBIC capacities to realize humanity's potential. A permanent failure to develop these capacities could itself constitute an existential risk," he suggests. For example, NBIC offers the potential to alleviate human suffering and to accelerate access to sustainable energy, abundant food, and universal healthcare on a global basis. Many preventable deaths might occur as a result of not developing NBIC. "Second," Bostrom continues, "it may be practically infeasible to gain universal adherence to a decision to relinquish these potential technologies. One must then ask whether a partial relinquishment — say to which only the most conscientious agents adhere — will make us safer or whether it will instead increase the danger by handing the reins to those who lack scruples." As with 20 th century nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) technologies, the risk of rogue states and terrorism require vigilance on the part of modern industrial nations. From bits to genes to atoms to neurons: what's clear is that the u.S. government is moving ahead with funding for the NBIC technologies, and likely for reasons of strategic global positioning as much as for the potential to improve the condition of humanity as a whole. heRe'S a BRIeF SUMMaRy oF The nBIc TechnologIeS: NANOTECHNOlOGY: Technology related to features of nanometer scale (10 -9 meters): thin films, fine particles, chemical synthesis, advanced microlithography, and so forth. BIOTECHNOlOGY: The application of science and engineering to the direct or indirect use of living organisms, or parts or products of living organisms, in their natural or modified forms. INFORMATION TECHNOlOGY: Applied computer systems, both hardware and software, including networking and telecommunications. COGNITIvE SCIENCE: The study of intelligence and intelligent systems, with particular reference to intelligent behavior as computation. People from all backgrounds and of all ranges of ability will learn valuable new knowledge and skills more reliably and quickly, whether in school, on the job, or at home. Individuals and teams will be able to communicate and cooperate profitably across traditional barriers of culture, language, distance, and professional specialization, thus greatly increasing the effectiveness of groups, organizations, and multinational partnerships. National security will be greatly strengthened by lightweight, information-rich war-fighting systems, capable uninhabited combat vehicles, adaptable smart materials, invulnerable data networks, superior intelligence gathering systems, and effective measures against biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear attacks. Engineers, artists, architects, and designers will experience tremendously expanded creative abilities, both with a variety of new tools and through improved understanding of the wellsprings of human creativity. Average persons, as well as policymakers, will have a vastly improved awareness of the cognitive, social, and biological forces operating their lives, enabling far better adjustment, creativity, and daily decision-making. 2020