The pace of engineering and science is speeding up, rapidly leading us toward a "Technological Singularity" - a point in time when superintelligent machines achieve and improve so much so fast, traditional humans can no longer operate at the forefront. However, if all goes well, human beings may still flourish greatly in their own ways in this unprecedented era. If humanity is going to not only survive but prosper as the Singularity unfolds, we will need to understand that the Technological Singularity is an Experiential Singularity as well, and rapidly evolve not only our technology but our level of compassion, ethics and consciousness. The aim of The Consciousness Explosion is to help curious and open-minded readers wrap their brains around these dramatic emerging changes-and empower readers with tools to cope and thrive as they unfold.
Goertzel, Ben: - Dr. Ben Goertzel, with a PhD in mathematics since 1989, has been a leading figure in AGI and applied AI, developing both from research and entrepreneurial standpoints. He was instrumental in creating Sophia, the first robot citizen, and has been a pioneer in integrating blockchain with AI. He founded the OpenCog open source AGI initiative and plays keyboard and sings in Desdemona's Dream, a unique robot-fronted rock band. Currently, he is the CEO of SingularityNET Foundation and TrueAGI Inc. Residing on a rural island near Seattle with his wife Ruiting and their two young children, Ben also has also raised three now-grown children along with multiple digital intelligences. His hobbies include experimental music, writing, and nature. Ben is an accomplished author with over 150 research papers, 25+ books, and numerous journalistic pieces. His earlier notable works include "Creating Internet Intelligence" (which presaged the decentralization of AI in 2001), "Artificial General Intelligence" (which introduced the AGI concept in 2005) and "The AGI Revolution." More info at goertzel.org and singularitynet.io and https: //bengoertzel.substack.com/ Dr. Gabriel Axel Montes, PhD, is a neuroscientist, musician, inventor, author, and researcher and practitioner of consciousness development. With a focus on AI, he works both hands-on and at the thought-leadership level toward the practical resolution of global challenges. Gabriel has worked in and with leading organizations at the pioneering edge of AI, offering intuitive complex systems expertise to advance their technology, strategy, and communications. An artist at heart, Gabriel applies transdisciplinary creativity and synthesis to identify leverage points in technology, organisations, and systems. Gabriel has been a musician since the age of 12, is an avid international traveller, nature enthusiast, and a passionate father and husband. For more info, visit gabrielaxel.com
