12. Embracing Competitive Balance: The Case for Substrate-Independent Minds and Whole Brain Emulation

More important than debates about the nature of a possible singularity is that we successfully navigate the balance of opportunities and risks that our species is faced with. In this context, we present the objective to upload to substrate-independent minds (SIM). We emphasize our leverage along this route, which distinguishes it from proposals that are mired in debates about optimal solutions that are unclear and unfeasible. We present a theorem of cosmic dominance for intelligence species based on principles of universal Darwinism, or simply, on the observation that selection takes place everywhere at every scale. We show that SIM embraces and works with these facts of the physical world. And we consider the existential risks of a singularity, particularly where we may be surpassed by artificial intelligence (AI). It is unrealistic to assume the means of global cooperation needed to the create a putative “friendly” super-intelligent AI. Besides, no one knows how to implement such a thing. The very reasons that motivate us to build AI lead to machines that learn and adapt. An artificial general intelligence (AGI) that is plastic and at the same time implements an unchangeable “friendly” utility function is an oxymoron. By contrast, we note that we are living in a real world example of a Balance of Intelligence between members of a dominant intelligent species. We outline a concrete route to SIM through a set of projects on whole brain emulation (WBE). The projects can be completed in the next few decades. So, when we compare this with plans to “cure aging” in human biology, SIM is clearly as feasible in the foreseeable future—or more so. In fact, we explain that even in the near term life extension will require mind augmentation. Rationality is a wonderful tool that helps us find effective paths to our goals, but the goals arise from a combination of evolved drives and interests developed through experience. The route to a new Balance of Intelligence by SIM has this additional benefit, that it does acknowledges our emancipation and does not run counter to our desire to participate in advances and influence future directions.