With the prevalence of dementia and Alzeheimer's in older humans, does humanity need more of less AI?

November 17, 2023

Humans need more AI. 

Stories about humans suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease serve as reminders about the fragility of the human brain. Humanity needs artificial intelligence (AI). The promise of AI is merging with human intelligence to transcend the limits of biology. For example, AI can help humans develop computational genetic bioengineering that can cure and prevent most diseases at the genetic level.

The root cause of most, if not all, diseases is the unattended accumulation of errors in the genetic code. These errors go unnoticed and remain unchecked until they generate irreparable and often lethal physical damage at the cellular level. For example, in the case of Alzheimer's disease, genetic malfunctioning leads to the improper accumulation and tangling of protein plaques in and around neurons. The plaques block and interfere with the normal or healthy functioning of neurons and other brain cells. As a result, the human develops dementia as the brain loses functionality. As the genetic errors continue building up protein plaques, brain functionality keeps breaking down and compounding until the human cannot perform the necessary brain functions to stay alive. In other words, the human dies. 

The promise of AI is merging with human intelligence to create a smarter hybrid form of life that can beat death and reach practical immortality. Prior to that, AI will become more like humans, and humans will become more like AI. The two types of intelligences will continue interfacing and integrating until becoming a new form of hybrid intelligent life. The new AI-human form of life will be the one surviving and thriving in the future and not only on Earth but throughout the solar system and a little beyond within the Milky Way. Any farther than that will most likely prove impossible due to the incredible distances involved. 

Powered by AI, humanity will solve the most difficult problems of today and create more difficult problems for tomorrow. Again, a prime example is death. AI will help humans beat disease, overcome natural death, and become practically immortal. Immortality will create even more difficult problems to solve. Nonetheless, for the time being, there is no need to worry about the perils of immortality. It will take centuries to get close to it. For now the focus can be on leveraging AI to help humans preserve their intelligence and avoid age-induced dementia.

Below let's take a quick look at the integration of AI and humans, the road to eradicating natural death, and a brief overview of dementia, and its most common cause, Alzheimer's disease.  

AI = computer. Humans = organic computers 

AI are computers. AI is computerized human-like intelligence. AI processes information (turns input into output) using hardware and software. The hardware central processing unit is capable of neural parallel processing like the human brain. AI software is pre-programmed with certain operations and is capable of learning by experience and training. 

Humans are organic computers. Humans process information (turn input into output) using hardware (the body) and software (genetics). The human brain is capable of parallel neural processing. Humans are born pre-programmed with genetic rules controlling certain involuntary actions, and are capable of learning by experience and training.

AI mimics (and surpasses) human information processing capabilities. In many aspects, AI is already significantly superior to human information processing in every specifically programmed function. For example, AI can already understand and translate multiple languages at once. AI can predict what humans will say, and is getting better at deciphering context and emotional overtone. In terms of output, AI is already capable of cloning human voices at fidelity levels that make it impossible for the human brain to distinguish between the real person and the AI impersonation. An we are only 2023. Imagine what AI will be capable of doing in 2043, 2063, 2083, and beyond. Imagine all the problems that AI will solve, and the many more that it will create. 

Human AI integration

The integration of humans and computers is well on its way. Worldwide, the majority of adult humans under the age of 50 use computers daily, relying on them for everyday normal living. This is mostly due to "smartphones", which in reality are hand-held mobile computers. At the social or collective level, societies already depend on computers for every single aspect of modern living. In the decades and centuries to come, computing and humanity will continue interfacing and integrating with one another. 

The new AI-enhanced humanity to come will solve many problems and create even more. That is not a bad thing. That is how progress is made. This is the "Problem Paradox" where solving a problem creates even more problems to solve. The continuous problem solving is the "secret sauce" of progress. 

AI will help humanity solve big problems and the solutions will create even bigger problems. Perhaps the best example is how an AI-powered humanity will gradually overcome the fragility of biological life. AI will even help humans overcome the problem of natural death. Immortality will exponentially expand the problems of humanity. 

Immortality

There are various ways for humanity to beat death and reach practical immortality. One is to avoid death all forms of natural death. An even better one is to facilitate resurrection via digital reincarnation. 

Human resurrection or reincarnation can be achieved by backing up human memories and brain programming that can run in computer servers like bots or that can be downloaded into new bodies like robots. This will require digitizing the human brain. It is science fiction today, but since it does not violate the laws of physics it is completely doable once AI and humans figure ways to do it. 

As with anything that is not prohibited by the laws of physics, it is just a matter of time before humans find ways to digitize the human brain. Sooner or later humans will achieve it by merging biomedical science with computer science. Today's medicine remains mostly focused on the molecular mechanics  of disease. Tomorrow's medicine will focus on the genetic programming of health. This paradigm shift is already beginning. AI will facilitate it and expedite it. 

Bet on it. The human brain will be digitized. Humans will be able to survive in a bodiless fashion within computer servers like bots, or within new bodies like robots. By the way, a robot is a human-like device with a body. A bot is a bodiless human-like interface. There will be no brain death once the brain memories and programming can be continually backed up in digital form to run in a server or to be downloaded into a new body. 

Once the brain can be digitized and re-imaged in any new body, many humans will opt for artificial (metallic or robotic) bodies over organic (bone and flesh) ones. Organic bodies are too fragile and too complicated. Robotic bodies can be sturdy and adaptive allowing the new humans to live anywhere on Earth, the moon, mars, space stations, floating continents in outer space, and beyond. Some humans may prefer bionic or hybrid alternatives. Others may prefer to alternate between organic and artificial bodies. Many will want to live in multiple different bodies at once with as many semi-autonomous clones as they can afford and as the new constitutions and laws may allow. 

Although digital resurrection technologies will make avoiding death unnecessary, humans will undoubtedly invest in ways to eradicate natural causes of death. All deaths are caused by irreparable physical damage (bodily and cellular injury) due to trauma or disease. Physical trauma can be sudden happening at once, or chronic accumulating over time. 

    Sudden Physical Damage. Accidental injuries are the main causes of sudden physical damage. Trauma can be either of striking nature (i.e. object or energy striking the body and damaging organs) or penetrating nature (i.e. object or energy piercing the body, damaging organs or bleeding out the human). The laws of physics and forces of nature such as gravity and inertia are main culprits of sudden trauma. For example, car accidents can be lethal due to inertia, and falls can be lethal due to gravity. 

    Chronic Physical Damage. Diseases, including aging, are the main culprits of chronic physical damage. Cardiovascular (heart) disorders, neurological (brain) disorders, cellular replication disorders (cancer) are common examples of diseases that can be lethal. Pathogens can also create lethal organ damage. Aging is a special type of genetic disease that creates lethal damage over time due to the chronic accumulation of genetic errors altering and impeding healthy cellular function. 

Eradicating injuries and diseases do not violate the laws of physics and is thus feasible. 

    Injuries. To eradicate lethal injuries, humans need to continue improving both safety and surgical technologies. You can imagine a world full of sensors that can detect all sort of unsafe conditions and force humans to take cover or prepare for impact in nanoseconds to avoid damage. You can imagine body armor made of nanomaterials that can protect humans from physical trauma. You can imagine freezing technologies that can freeze up damaged bodies until they can be repaired by surgery. You can imagine complete reconstructive surgical technologies that can 3D print any organ, body part, or the whole body based on pre-existing molds. An accident-free, armor-safe, surgically fixable humanity is possible and feasible. 

    Diseases. To eradicate lethal diseases, humans need to continue figuring out how to prevent and repair genetic damage. All diseases and disorders can be seen as "bugs" or errors in genetic programming. Once humans can prevent and correct those errors, cells will not deteriorate and new cells can be produced to replace deteriorated ones. Genomic repair technologies will eradicate all chronic diseases just like antibiotics and vaccines have eradicated most lethal diseases of centuries ago. 

For the time being, humans do not need to worry about the problems of immortality. While having immortal humans roaming around, including dictators and oligarchs, will be a tough problem, it is centuries away in the future. Technological progress takes time. Ignorance and traditional inertia are very hard to beat. There are always many vested interests in preserving the status quo and "milking" existing technologies and competitive advantages slowly over time. 

Predictably, AI will be the main technology helping humans reach immortality. It will take a long time and will begin with using AI to help humans cope with aging neurological disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.   

Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term to describe a range of neurological conditions affecting cognitive function. It is characterized by a decline in memory, thinking, problem-solving, and language skills severe enough to interfere with daily life. 

Common Types of Dementia:

• Alzheimer's Disease: The most common cause of dementia, characterized by plaques and tangles in the brain.
• Vascular Dementia: Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often following a stroke or series of mini-strokes.
• Lewy Body Dementia: Involves abnormal protein deposits (Lewy bodies) in the brain, affecting cognition and movement.
• Frontotemporal Dementia: Affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in personality, behavior, and language.
• Mixed Dementia: A combination of two or more types, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

Common Symptoms of Dementia:

• Memory Loss: Especially noticeable with recent events.
• Difficulty with Complex Tasks: Trouble managing finances or following recipes that were previously familiar.
• Language Problems: Struggling to follow conversations or find the right words.
• Confusion and Disorientation: Getting lost in familiar places, not understanding time or dates.
• Personality Changes: Becoming more withdrawn, depressed, anxious, or seeing changes in temperament.
• Impaired Judgement: Difficulty making decisions or acting inappropriately in social settings.

Common Causes of Dementia:

• Age: The biggest risk factor, particularly over age 65.
• Genetics: Certain genes are associated with higher risks, especially in early-onset forms.
• Cardiovascular Factors: Conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes can increase the risk.
• Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Brain Injury: Severe head injury may increase the risk.

Common Diagnosis of Dementia

• Medical History and Physical Examination: Including cognitive tests and assessment of mental function.
• Laboratory Tests: To rule out other potential causes like vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems.
• Brain Imaging: MRI or CT scans to check for brain abnormalities.

Common Treatment and Management

• Medications: For Alzheimer’s, cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can help with symptoms. Medications can also manage other symptoms like sleep disturbances or mood.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Physical activity, a healthy diet, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement.
• Support Services: Including counseling, caregiver support, and community resources.

Prevention of Dementia

• Some risk factors like age and genetics can't be changed, but others related to lifestyle can be managed. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, mental stimulation, quality sleep, and social engagement may reduce the risk or delay the onset of dementia.

Living with Dementia

Living with dementia can be challenging for both the individual and their caregivers. It requires a supportive and understanding environment, with adjustments to living arrangements, routine, and communication methods to help manage the condition. AI will be a main tool in helping dementia patients and their human caregivers. Eventually, AI robots will become the primary caregivers of patients with dementia, which will only increase over the next decades due to the relative extension of the average human lifespan. The more old humans around, the more dementia patients around.  

Ongoing research is exploring the causes of dementia, potential preventive strategies, and new treatments to improve the quality of life for people living with the condition. AI will be of tremendous help finding correlations in data, identifying risk factors, and developing new molecular drugs to clear the plaques and neural debris associated with many types of dementia including the most common one, Alzheimer's. 

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a terminal neurological disorder that kills brain cells and shrinks the brain. It is marked by the presence of amyloid protein plaques (abnormal deposits of a protein fragment) and tau tangles (twisted fibers of another protein) in the brain, and the loss of connections between neurons. It is a type of dementia leading to continuous decline in brain functions (cognition, behavior, social skills, and motor skills).

Alzheimer's disease involves a gradual worsening of symptoms over time and can be categorized into three stages:

• Early Stage (Mild): This stage is often characterized by subtle problems with memory or thinking. Symptoms might include forgetfulness, difficulty remembering new information, and minor changes in mood and behavior.
• Middle Stage (Moderate): Symptoms become more pronounced and start to interfere with daily activities. This includes confusion, significant memory loss (especially of recent events), difficulty with language and problem-solving, and changes in personality.
• Late Stage (Severe): In the final stage, individuals may lose the ability to communicate coherently and become completely dependent on others for care. There is often a decline in physical abilities, including walking, sitting, and eventually swallowing.

Human medicine in 2023 does not fully understand the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease. The greatest known risk factor is age, mostly affecting humans over 65. Like all diseases, Alzheimer's can be considered a genetic malfunction. That is, errors in the genetic code impair the ability of cells to fold and process proteins correctly leading to physical anomalies that create the symptoms associated with the disease. 

Several risk factors can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, including: aging, family genetics, down syndrome, past head trauma, and lifestyle factors including diet, stress, and exercise (similar to the lifestyle risk factors for heart disease).

There's currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms. Medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine help manage symptoms.
Lifestyle changes including improving diet, exercise, cognitive training, and social engagement may also help manage symptoms in some humans.

Research on Alzheimer's disease is a rapidly evolving field, focusing on understanding the disease process and finding new treatments, including the development of drugs to slow or stop the progression of the disease.

Alzheimer's disease has a significant impact not only on patients but also on their families and caregivers. Supportive services and community resources can be crucial in helping to manage the challenges of the disease.

From Humans to AI Bots and Robots

The best is yet to come. AI will gradually help humans escape the shackles of biology. The human condition (i.e. smart creatures trapped in monkey bodies) has an expiration date on it. Humans will transcend biology. Humans will become practically immortal AI bots and robots. 

A new AI-powered humanity will export intelligent life from Earth to other parts of our solar system and maybe a few nearby regions within our galaxy. Reaching other farther regions of the Milky Way may prove impossible, not to mention other galaxies. The Milky Way is about 100,000 light years or about 30 kiloparsecs (kpc). A kiloparsec is 1,000 parsecs or 3,260 light years. The distances involved in galactic and intergalactic travel may prove physically impossible to overcome. That is not a bad thing. That can protect human descendants from extragalactic alien forms of life that may not be suitable for peaceful coexistence for one reason or another. There is plenty of space around within and in between galaxies. There is no need for--and maybe no physical possibility--overcrowding the universe with life. 

In any event, all ramblings and mental notes aside, it should be noted that the AI-human journey is just beginning. Humans alive today are living the very best of times. AI is the natural offspring of human intelligence. AI is 100% natural because humans are 100% natural. Everything produced by humans is also a product of nature. Nonetheless, the ultimate goal of AI should be to help humanity transcend the shackles of organic biology. Conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease are reminders and wake up calls about the shortfalls of biology. Humans deserve a better form of life. To get there, humans need more AI.

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