Whole Brain Emulation – The Best Solution There Is…?

Singularity, the single most life-changing event for all human species, seems like a far off dream in an uncharted sidereal valley. Throughout time, humans have tried to adapt their physique to ever-demanding situations, but have applied little effort to engineer the mind, no doubt due to the challenges we face. We go about our daily lives, accepting our fate, being slaves to biological evolution, our senses holding us hostage from experiencing the multitude of conscious states there are. While it is desirable to do so, we are no near to architecting the mind than creating a general AI. The chance of achieving either is inextricably linked to the other. It is impossible to create AI in our image if we do not understand the workings of the little grey cells.

While it is so hard to understand the brain and its workings because of the extremely delicate environment in which it operates and the complexity of its inner workings, humans are slowly (at a snail’s pace) moving closer to realizing the phenomenon. In popular culture, Brain Emulation has been showcased in television series like Black Mirror in multiple episodes like White Christmas and San Junipero. These episodes explore the benefits as well as the dystopian aspects of living in a world where WBE becomes the norm. Other media also like games like Soma have mind uploading or WBE as one of its core story points and build around it.

The ease with which WBE is depicted in popular media where everything is acted out with a pre-determined script contrasts directly with the humongous effort and power that is required to manifest it functionally. Multiple milestones need to be achieved, each harder the one before, though the goal in sight is quite transparent.

• Data needs to be aggregated about every single part of the brain and its parameters, right down to the smallest cells, a task akin to the human genome project in its size and complexity, perhaps more so.
• Intricate complex networks need to be created that strictly adhere to the general model of the brain.
• Perhaps the most challenging part of the entire process, the functional behavior of the cells, need to be programmed.
• The mechanism needs to run in real-time on a supercomputer the likes of which have not been seen until now.

Trying to change the characteristics and behavior of human beings socially or culturally when the genetic process opposes will not bear fruit in the long run. The genetic code dictates human beings to put themselves first, survival instincts kick in, and there is little regard for other members of their species. Examining the benefits of whole brain emulation, it is almost maddening that humanity is not focusing all of its efforts to make it a reality. Engineering the brain to experience states of mind at a whim at no cost to oneself or others and genetically transforming minds for the greater good of all is probably what utopia would be like.

However, just like all technology, which can do extreme good can also be used for diabolical schemes. Taking minds hostage and artificially forcing atrocious memories or punishments to be experienced directly by the mind is one application of this technology that would be truly devastating, akin to a purgatory that never ends. Great care has to be taken to safeguard humans from a form of punishment that can be virtually endless and also be challenging, if not impossible, to detect. Thankfully, this technology is still quite far away and I will probably not be around by then.