“AI doesn’t have to be evil to destroy humanity – if AI has a goal and humanity just happens to come in the way, it will destroy humanity as a matter of course without even thinking about it, no hard feelings.”-–Elon Musk, Technology Entrepreneur, and Investor.
How far are we from controlling computers at the speed of our thought?
The tech genius, founder of SpaceX and four other companies, the mega ambitious Elon Musk will update the world on 28 August about the recent developments in the co-founded company “Neuralink”, which is developing implantable brain chips. The thin flexible wired chips will pick neuron signals from the brain to facilitate human interaction with computers on a whole different level. Musk has consistently pointed out how “lossy” the process of translating thoughts to input via keyboard and mouse is, and believes that a tighter and more hi-fidelity bond between computers and humans could reduce the risk of humans being surpassed by the ever-advancing AI.
Neuralink announced in July 2019, about the successful tests of the device on mice and apes. The company then stepped ahead to test on human subjects for the next year i.e; 2020. It is speculated that Mr Musk on 28 August might announce an update on human trials of the implantable Neuralink device.
To a question by a twitter user on Friday, whether the device can re-train a memory responsible for addiction and depression? Mr Musk replied in affirmative and added that this is both great and terrifying. Since the company’s inception in 2016, the primary goal was to aid neurologically impaired people. In the Short term, Neuralink will be used to cure brain diseases like Parkinson’s disease, while the long term ambitions of the technology are to allow humans to compete with AI.
AI symbiosis while u wait
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 10, 2020
Lightening speed data transfer, now a reality:
Musk’s other ambitious project is Starlink, under SpaceX. It is a network of satellites moving in low earth orbit (LEO). The satellites will work in conjunction with ground transceivers to provide internet service globally. As of 13 June 2020, SpaceX has launched 540 Starlink satellites. Every deployment of 60 satellites could deliver 1 terabit of bandwidth, which could potentially support 40,000 users streaming ultra-high-definition content at the same time.
SpaceX has acquired a license to launch 42,000 satellites for its decade long project. Even amid the pandemic and lockdown, the company is striving towards its goal and launching satellites in every 2 weeks. After the launch of 1000 satellites, the basic service could be enabled for users, Musk has said. Starlink would enable network coverage to third world countries, remote islands, or so-called unreachable areas.
Terminator movie fans, find a lot of similarity in Starlink and Skynet:
Other key players providing ultra wideband 5G networks are Verizon, AT&T, and T mobile companies. They are working aggressively in expanding their 5G network in the whole of the US. Currently, 5G Ultra Wideband is available in selected areas of more than 31 U.S. cities.
In India too, Digital Communication Commission (DCC) is deciding to auction 5G network band, as per the Economic Times report.
Human Implantable Chips are already underplaying in Sweden:
A company named Biohax International designs implantable microchips, roughly the size of a grain, and is inert and harmless for the human body. These chips are pierced under the skin and store all sorts of digital information of Keys, ID cards, Loyalty Tokens, Money and Access cards, etc. In short, it holds the digital identity of the person. The company has biochipped more than 4000 people as of early 2019. Many companies in Sweden have made bio-chipping compulsory, as it allows bosses to have more control over the employees. Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, has also invested billion dollars in AI chip development companies.
Current 4 G LTE uses a frequency bandwidth under 2.5 GHz, the upcoming 5G could be explored from a few GHz to more than 100 GHz. It accommodates all the spectrum under 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, etc. The frequency band above 24.5 GHz is considered as a millimetre-wave band since it corresponds to a wavelength of 3.2 mm.
While 5 G is expected to bring a 4th Industrial Revolution worldwide. Its development has already given US Military high-tech powers. US Military developed the Active Denial System (ADS) to control a crowd or a mob. ADS fires a high powered beam of 95 GHz waves at a target, This millimetre-wave beam works on similar technology of microwave oven, it heats the water and fat molecule inside the target skin. However, it can only penetrate the top layers of the skin within 1/64 part of an inch. A spokesman for the Air Force Research Laboratory described his experience as a test subject for the ADS, he said, “For the first millisecond, it just felt like the skin was warming up. Then it got warmer and warmer and you felt like it was on fire. As soon as you’re away from that beam your skin returns to normal and there is no pain”. ADS was put to use during the Afghanistan war in 2010.
The upcoming technological developments under the shade of COVID-19 emergency, could give surveillance control to governments over its people, said Israeli professor, Yuval Noah Harari in his article titled World After Coronavirus. Read from here.
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