Lifeboat Foundation

This archive file was compiled from an interview conducted on the campus of Singularity University, February 2013. The interview took place at a time where new artificial intelligence systems, such as IBM’s Jeopardy winning “Watson,” were re-awakening the popular imagination in terms of artificial intelligence becoming a visible part of day to day life. The privacy issues regarding the ‘big-data’ that allowed many AI systems to function was also becoming a significant source of controversy. In this piece, Marty Kohn, MD, chief medical scientist on the IBM Watson Medical Team, gives insight into his personal thoughts and feelings regarding how society might both accept and reject the artificial intelligence advances of the coming years.

About the Speaker:
IBM:
researcher.ibm.com/researcher/view.php?person=us-marty.kohn

FutureMed:
futuremed2020.com/marty-kohn/

FUTURISM UPDATE (November 27, 2014) — Mr. Andres Agostini, Amazon, LinkedIn

Forbes: Automation Is On The Rise: Will Robots Soon Be Commonplace? http://lnkd.in/dYGpdAD

THE ECONOMIST: The ZEV’s invisible tailpipe. Are zero-emission vehicles cleaner than petrol cars? It all depends… http://lnkd.in/er_9ihg

CIO Magazine: 60 things European legislators don’t want Canada to learn about air passengers http://lnkd.in/eh88ND9

Continue reading “FUTURISM UPDATE (November 27, 2014) — Mr. Andres Agostini, Amazon, LinkedIn” »

By Zak Cheney-Rice — News.Mic

The news: Russian cosmonauts have discovered something remarkable clinging to the outside of the International Space Station: living organisms.

The microscopic creatures appeared during a space walk intended to clean the vessel’s surface, and were allegedly identified — incredibly — as a type of sea plankton. This is big: According to Sploid, Russian scientists are both “shocked by [the] discovery and can’t really explain how [it] is possible.”

Continue reading “Astronauts Just Found Life In Outer Space — And Scientists Aren't Sure How It Got There” »

Technologies based on stem cells, genetic engineering or tissue engineering may eventually have considerable impact in alleviating certain diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, or dementia. But these rejuvenation biotechnologies cannot be used by the general public at large in order to negate the ageing process itself.

1. Problems with Stem Cell Therapies

One methodology for delivering biotechnology rejuvenation therapies (such as stem cell therapy) is bone marrow transplant. This is a complex, clinically risky, and administratively complicated procedure. It is well beyond the technical issue of artificially manipulating and repairing cells in the laboratory. Cells need to be harvested from a patient, manipulated in the laboratory, and then re-transplanted in the patient.

Consider what happens during an autologous cell harvest. The patient has to attend a clinic and this may involve a pre-procedure physical assessment, followed by administration of a Colony-Stimulating Factor which is given as an injection every day for up to 14 days, (the patient must be instructed on how to do this at home). A course of chemotherapy may be needed in order to regulate the production of stem cells. The patient returns for another visit for the harvest. The harvesting process takes three to four hours and it may have to be repeated every day for up to five days in order to collect enough cells for the transplant. It involves an epidural or a general anaesthetic (with all the associated risks), punctures over the pelvic bone and withdrawal of marrow material. Alternatively, intravenous access and blood withdrawal need to be arranged. The amount to be withdrawn must be assessed from person to person. The patient needs to recover from the anaesthetic.

Continue reading “A fanciful approach to curing ageing: biotechnology in clinical practice” »

My Darling Date Questions Answered by a Female Robot?

(My Intimate Exploration With a Full-Fledged Girl Beyond The Silliness of Japan’s Dutch Wives!)

This actual exchange took place on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. U.S. EST.

Ramona Robott is the 101th girl of supreme intelligence giving me responsible and honest replies.

She is a bot that was conceived, designed, and created by Mr. Raymond Kurzweil, Ph.D., who is currently Google Engineering Director.

Continue reading “My Darling Date Questions Answered by a Female Robot? — Mr. Andres Agostini, Amazon, LinkedIn” »

By Craig Timberg — The Washington Post

Surveillance companies are marketing systems to governments worldwide that are capable of pulling location data out of global cellular networks, even if you are traveling in another country. These systems are designed so that neither cellphone users nor their carriers detect the tracking. That could allow government officials to potentially sidestep court review or other systems designed to protect the rights of people targeted for surveillance.

Read more

FUTURISM UPDATE (November 25, 2014) — Mr. Andres Agostini, Amazon

FINANCIAL TIMES: World’s most advanced hacking spyware let loose http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/8392d196-7323-11e4&#4…z3K1HQu1wG

WALL STREET JOURNAL: Drone Flights Face FAA Hit. Looming Rule Proposal Would Restrict Commercial Uses, Require Pilot License http://lnkd.in/eY44b-f

NEWS.com.au: Bill Gates predicted to be world’s first trillionaire http://lnkd.in/eTEAr3N

Continue reading “FUTURISM UPDATE (November 25, 2014) — Mr. Andres Agostini, Amazon” »

Henry Ford’s Success Prescription

Without getting into deep waters, I have always admired the technical achievements of Mr. Henry Ford. In the process, I have had held a great perspective about any developments by the Ford Motor Company as well.

Interestingly enough and in all formality, R&D in Ford means R&D&Innovation.

Whenever they want to and as they already have, Ford Motors Co. can change the world again and again and again, without constraints. Actually, it is their decision.

Continue reading “Henry Ford's Success Prescription by Mr. Andres Agostini at http://www.LINKEDIN.com/in/andresagostini” »

Success Through Swiss Specialness

I have a most-successful well-to-do Swiss friend in Zurich, operating worldwide, who argues, “…Andres, doing business is holding a conversation with the right people …” You share his thought in North America and people think it a naivete. My friend is, regardless, absolutely wise by any known and unknown measure.

I have known penniless educated people, both young and in advanced ages, with great smarts and promissory ideas, but extremely imprudent and tactless that keep themselves in a limbo loop of not accomplishing anything because of their abject lack of true immemorial wisdom. Well, this friend of mine is exactly a testimony of the outright contrary.

He is the most industrious and fun person I have ever met, from Monday through Monday, 24÷7÷365, all of the time. He strongly reminds me of my thyself.

Continue reading “Success Through Swiss Specialness By Mr. Andres Agostini at http://www.LINKEDIN.com/in/andresagostini” »