NeuroTech Conference

http://www.neuroinsights.com/events/neurotech2008.html

MIT Grad Kurzweil on Neurotech Future

BBC NEWS | Americas | Machines to match man by 2029'

Humans and machines would eventually merge, by means of devices embedded in people's bodies to keep them healthy and improve their intelligence, predicted Mr Kurzweil.

"We'll have intelligent nanobots go into our brains through the capillaries and interact directly with our biological neurons," he told BBC News.

CHALLENGES FACING HUMANITY
Make solar energy affordable
Provide energy from fusion
Develop carbon sequestration
Manage the nitrogen cycle
Provide access to clean water
Reverse engineer the brain
Prevent nuclear terror
Secure cyberspace
Enhance virtual reality
Improve urban infrastructure
Advance health informatics
Engineer better medicines
Advance personalised learning
Explore natural frontiers

The nanobots, he said, would "make us smarter, remember things better and automatically go into full emergent virtual reality environments through the nervous system".

Mr Kurzweil is one of 18 influential thinkers chosen to identify the great technological challenges facing humanity in the 21st century by the US National Academy of Engineering.

The experts include Google founder Larry Page and genome pioneer Dr Craig Venter.

The 14 challenges were announced at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, which concludes on Monday.

Minds @ the Muddy

Hi all,

Joost Bonsen, Christian Wentz, Jon Edward and I are hosting an informal gathering of those interested in all things neurotech Tues. Feb. 19th from 8pm-onward. Details below.

I hope you'll drop by!

If you would like to help organize this, please email me at eesley@mit.edu

Chuck

"Minds at the Muddy" will kick off Feb. 19th at 8pm at the Muddy Charles Pub at MIT. We're bringing together the hottest minds and up and coming entrepreneurs in the Neurotechnology area for an exciting evening of drinks, brainstorming, and conversation.

Please join fellow inventive and entrepreneurial friends and me at the MIT
Muddy Charles pub Feb. 19th (Tues.), between 8pm and
10pm, for drinks, dinner, and interesting discussions. This informal
"Minds at the Muddy" will go till at least 9:30p, probably later.

We're personally inviting people who we know like to work on new technologies,
entrepreneurial ventures, or other efforts which maximize human progress.

Legalities -- Please don't forget your ID since unconstitutional age
discrimination remains in force.

Locale -- Free parking and the Kendall T are a short walk from the Muddy --
http://web.mit.edu/muddy/ -- which is in the corner of MIT building 50, the
big, pillared Walker Memorial near the intersection of Ames St and Memorial
Drive -- http://whereis.mit.edu/bin/map?mapterms=muddy&mapsearch=go

Cost -- Typically people chip in by purchasing
a pitcher or so and contributing it to the gathering.

PS If there's someone you think I ought to invite to this, please drop me a line! eesley@mit.edu