Between Ape and Artilect: Conversations with Pioneers of Artificial General Intelligence and Other Transformative Technologies

Publisher Marketing: Between Ape and Artilect is edited by noted AI researcher Ben Goertzel, and produced by futurist organization Humanity+. During 2010-12, Dr. Goertzel conducted a series of textual interviews with researchers in various areas of cutting-edge science -- artificial general intelligence, nanotechnology, life extension, neurotechnology, collective intelligence, mind uploading, body modification, neuro-spiritual transformation, and more. These interviews were published online in H+ Magazine, and are here gathered together in a single volume. The resulting series of dialogues treats a variety of social, futurological and scientific topics in a way that is accessible to the educated non-scientist, yet also deep and honest to the subtleties of the topics being discussed. Between Ape and Artilect is a must-read if you want the real views, opinions, ideas, muses and arguments of the people creating our future. Table of Contents Itamar Arel: AGI via Deep Learning Pei Wang: What Do You Mean by "AI"? Joscha Bach: Understanding the Mind Hugo DeGaris: Will There be Cyborgs? DeGaris Interviews Goertzel: Seeking the Sputnik of AGI Linas Vepstas: AGI, Open Source and Our Economic Future Joel Pitt: The Benefits of Open Source for AGI Randal Koene: Substrate-Independent Minds Joao Pedro de Magalhaes: Ending Aging Aubrey De Grey: Aging and AGI David Brin: Sousveillance J. Storrs Hall: Intelligent Nano Factories and Fogs Mohamad Tarifi: AGI and the Emerging Peer-to-Peer Economy Michael Anissimov: The Risks of Artificial Superintelligence Muehlhauser & Goertzel: Rationality, Risk, and the Future of AGI Paul Werbos: Will Humanity Survive? Wendell Wallach: Machine Morality Francis Heylighen: The Emerging Global Brain Steve Omohundro: The Wisdom of the Global Brain and the Future of AGI Alexandra Elbakyan: Beyond the Borg Giulio Prisco: Technological Transcendence Zhou Changle: Zen and the Art of Intelligent Robotics Hugo DeGaris: Is God an Alien Mathematician? Lincoln Cannon: The Most Transhumanist Religion? Natasha Vita-More: Upgrading Humanity Jeffery Martin & Mikey Siegel: Engineering Enlightenment Contributor Bio:  Goertzel, Ben Dr. Ben Goertzel is a long-time leading researcher in the field of Artificial General Intelligence, and has also been prominent in the futurist and transhumanist communities, writing and speaking frequently about the long-term implications of AGI technology. He currently resides in Hong Kong with his AI-researcher wife Ruiting Lian, serving as Chief Scientist of financial prediction firm Aidyia Holdings and participating in the OpenCog AGI/robotics project at Hong Kong Poly U. Holding a PhD in mathematics, Dr. Goertzel has published over a dozen books and 100+ research papers on AI, longevity biology and other areas of science, and is the founder of the AGI conference series, and Vice Chairman of Humanity+.