According to Moore’s Law, the more transistors that could be put on an integrated microchip would double its processing power equalling more powerful, yet smaller, cheaper, and more efficient devices. Gordon Moore (co-founder of Intel) made this prediction in 1965 regarding the next 10 years. However, to date, this observation is still accurate and moving faster than I’m sure even he could have ever imagined.
Similarly, Buckminster Fuller, in his 1982 book “The Critical Path”, noted that the amount of new information doubled every hundred years up until the year 1900, after which, that too had begun to be halved at an exponential rate until our present day. These days, our new information is doubling in months and not years. There has never been a time where the phrase “the only constant is change” was more apropos. I’m sure most of us here today are still doing our best to adapt to the ever-changing technologies that are being foisted upon us at a dizzying pace.
Although Neuralink and Synchron’s race toward putting technology into the human brain is advancing rapidly, it still has an issue with information processing. Whichever system becomes the standard, it would need to be powerful enough to handle the amount of data processing that the human brain (on average) contains. For example:
– The Human Brain contains several billion petabytes of information to index
– The Internet contains around 5 million terabytes
– The amount of Internet indexed by Google equals around 200 terabytes or .004% of the total Internet
This shortcoming thus requires advancements in other systems such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing to make the brain-machine-interface (BMI) technology more accessible and pragmatic. However, given the exponential growth in developing these technologies, it seems not a matter of if, but when. In his 1999 book The Age of Spiritual Machines, Ray Kurzweil proposed “The Law of Accelerating Returns,” in which he says:
An analysis of the history of technology shows that technological change is exponential, contrary to the common-sense ‘intuitive linear’ view. So we won’t experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century—it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at today’s rate). The ‘returns,’ such as chip speed and cost-effectiveness, also increase exponentially. There’s even exponential growth in the rate of exponential growth. Within a few decades, machine intelligence will surpass human intelligence, leading to the Singularity — technological change so rapid and profound it represents a rupture in the fabric of human history. The implications include the merger of biological and nonbiological intelligence, immortal software-based humans, and ultra-high levels of intelligence that expand outward in the universe at the speed of light.
Now, Mr. Kurzweil predicted in 1999 that this singularity event would occur around the year 2045, which back then, seemed far enough away to be within the realm of possibility. However, by 2023, that 2045 target when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence seems an awful lot closer to 2030 than 2045. With that said, the race to put technology into the human brain becomes even more desperate as many (such as Elon Musk) fear that the day machine intelligence surpasses human intelligence, is the day mankind’s fate is sealed. For many, transhumanism isn’t simply a passing fashion statement, but a matter of survival if humans are supposed to compete with their creation. These possibilities have both enthralled and terrified not just fans of science fiction, but also the very serious minds in academia, corporations, the government, and the military.
Regarding the last group, we all know that warfare is one of those unfortunate mainstays in human history. Our violent natures, or at least the tendency to commit violence, are a byproduct of our fallen nature. With that fundamental understanding of human nature, we should acknowledge that any technology, regardless of its original intent or purpose, can and will be weaponized. This reality is frightening in and of itself, let alone the dizzying pace at which this technology is advancing.
I recently asked ChatGPT (i.e., Artificial Intelligence) what are the different kinds of bleeding edge technologies available in the world today. It replied:
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Advanced algorithms for learning and decision-making. Deep learning and neural networks for complex pattern recognition.
2. Quantum Computing: Quantum bits (qubits) for exponentially faster processing. Quantum entanglement for secure communication.
3. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering: CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing for precise genetic modifications. Synthetic biology for creating artificial organisms and materials.
4. Nanotechnology: Manipulation of materials at the molecular or atomic level. Potential applications in medicine, electronics, and materials science.
5. Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies: Decentralized and secure digital ledger technology. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
6. 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing: Layer-by-layer construction of physical objects. Applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and construction.
7. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): Enhanced real-world experiences with digital overlays (AR). Immersive computer-generated environments (VR).
8. Internet of Things (IoT): Interconnected devices for data sharing and automation. Smart homes, wearables, and industrial IoT applications.
9. 5G Technology: Fifth-generation wireless technology for faster and more reliable communication. Enables the growth of IoT, autonomous vehicles, and augmented reality.
10. Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Advanced robotic systems for various applications.Autonomous vehicles, drones, and robotic surgery.
11. Edge Computing: Processing data closer to the source rather than relying on centralized cloud servers. Reduces latency and improves real-time processing for IoT devices.
12. Neuromorphic Computing: Mimicking the structure and function of the human brain in computer architecture. Potentially more efficient for certain types of computing tasks.
Now, to make this a little bit more digestible, I asked the AI to put this all in a hypothetical scenario to see what this would look like. It writes:
In a dystopian future, an authoritarian government wielding advanced AI surveillance, genetic engineering, quantum computing, and IoT technologies has tightened its grip on society. The regime employs AI-driven drones with facial recognition to monitor citizens’ every move, while a secret genetic modification program identifies and suppresses individuals deemed potential threats. The government uses quantum computing to break encrypted communications, stifling dissent and maintaining control over information flow. Simultaneously, an extensive network of IoT devices measures citizens’ behaviors, contributing to a pervasive social credit system that dictates access to resources based on loyalty to the regime. The convergence of these technologies creates a society where individual freedoms are eroded, dissent is quashed, and citizens live under constant scrutiny.
Doesn’t sound all that different from today does it not? We know the People’s Republic of China (PRC) currently uses many of these same technologies to control its massive population. We also know other nations and organizations are either adopting or are interested in adopting similar technologies to do the very same thing for their own citizens.
We also know this sounds an awful lot like the world of Revelation 13. Thus, if I could summarize the world described in that chapter into four main categories, it would be as follows:
1. Absolute globalism (by way of regionalism)
2. Absolute control (by way of technology)
3. Absolute loyalty (by way of worship)
4. The use of the supernatural to reinforce the first three (lying signs and wonders)
Point numbers 2 and 3 absolutely require breakthroughs in our current stage of technoligical advancements. Nevertheless, in this present dispensation, the world is held at bay by four main factors, the first of which is the staying of God’s hand. He has not only set things in motion, but He has predetermined the times and boundaries of nations so that, as imperfect as humans are, we perfectly serve God’s timing and purpose (Acts 17:26).
Secondly, God uses governments to serve as a check and balance against other governments and nations who might seek to overreach. This was established shortly after the flood and reinforced after the towe of Babel incident.
Thirdly, God uses people and organizations within nations to steer or stay the course of nations.
Lastly, He uses the Church to be the salt and light in a world plunged in darkness and heading for total destruction. And while it may seem the Church is of no effect today, Satan is powerless to stop it (Matt. 16:18-19).
The first sentence is senseless and wrong. You need to read about Moores law again, it's not about processing power, it's only about transistors and you completely forgot the timeframe.
ReplyDelete