ASIM-2010 Schedule

DAY 1 (August 16, 2010, 7pm-10pm)

BIG PICTURE

Session 1:
Introduction to Advancing Substrate-Independent Minds
10 min. talk by Randal A. Koene
40 min. discussion session

Session 2:
Computational complexity
10 min. talk by Suzanne Gildert
10 min. talk by Eugen Leitl
40 min. discussion session

Session 3:
Advanced Tools - Synthetic biology, Nanotechnology, etc.
10 min. talk by Mark Hamalainen
40 min. discussion session
Conclusions - 10 min.


DAY 2 (August 17, 2010, 7pm-10pm)

ACTIONABLES

Session 1:
Fundamental Issues - Resolution & Scale, “Me” Programs, etc.
10 min. talk by Randal A. Koene
50 min. discussion session

Session 2:
Actionable Approaches - ASIM Now
10 min. talk by Peter Passaro: Multi-neuron functional analysis in-vivo
10 min. talk by Ken Hayworth: Preservation & large-scale
high-resolution structural analysis
50 min. discussion session

Session 3:
ASIM in Context - Ongoing Advances in neuroprosthetics, AGI,
Cyber-augmentation, embodiment, VR, etc.
10 min. talk by Demis Hassabis
10 min. talk by Monica Anderson
40 min. discussion session

ASIM (Advancing Substrate-Independent Minds) is a new series of workshops and activities that will cover the current state of the art in the fields of whole brain emulation, mind transfer, digital personalities, gradual replacement techniques, and brain preservation.

The sessions of the ASIM workshop will run after the Singularity Summit workshop on Monday and Tuesday, as a satellite event to the main Singularity Summit (August 14-15). The Singularity Summit workshop finishes at 5pm on both days, so there will be time to find some dinner before joining us for our evening sessions.

If you are interested in attending and would like more information, please feel free to contact the organisers.

The following topics will be addressed in the discussion sessions in the workshop:

1. Fundamentals of Advancing Substrate-Independent Minds, such as: What are the minimum requirements for the ASIM objective that we can agree upon? What are proper definitions to work with? What are the main technological opinions / approaches? What are the main concrete problems that we face? What is some of the useful knowledge and technology that currently exists?

2. Introductions to several of the possible technology directions. This includes structural preservation and data acquisition, functional data acquisition, neuroprosthetic devices, brain augmentation and gradual procedures, the usefulness and design of cognitive architectures, the interaction of ASIM topics with artificial general intelligence, and the interaction of ASIM topics with life extension and synthetic biology.

3. An examination of needs: The networking and public relations needs of ASIM organizations. Needs in terms of basic research. The needs of specific projects. This includes analysis and discussion of relevant cultural and social boundary conditions and possible initiatives which may boost, or on the contrary be detrimental to acceptance of and interest in the ASIM programs.

4. Discussion of funding and fund raising possibilities. What is it needed for? Which sort of funding is best applied to which need? What are the steps involved in accomplishing funding goals?

Registration and donations

The ASIM-2010 conference will NOT charge a registration or entry fee. However, we do gladly accept donations which will go directly towards organizing future conferences, events, and expanding the carboncopies outreach network. Donations of $15 or more will receive a carboncopies ASIM-2010 t-shirt.


Conference Logistics:

The ASIM-2010 conference is being held in the "MARINA" room of the Hyatt Regency, SF. The hotel is at 5 Embarcadero Center in San Francisco. The MARINA room is on the "BAY LEVEL" of the hotel, which is one level below the ATRIUM level - which will be familiar to those of you attending the Singularity Summit on Saturday and Sunday.

For those of you arriving by car, parking in San Francisco is about as difficult as in any other major city. The hotel provides valet parking, which is quite expensive (the day rate kicks in at 4+ hours and is $62). A more affordable and secure option is to park in the garage of Embarcadero Center 3 or 4, which have day rates of $32. Alternatively, the Golden Gate Garage on Clay Street is also very close to the Hyatt, with a day rate of $36. These are convenient and the rates are not bad (if you're used to Boston, for example)!

The Hyatt hotel also hosts a bar on the Atrium level where people can gather before the beginning of the conference for drinks.

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Write-up of Day 1: http://telexlr8.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/asim-2010-conference-advancing-substrate-independent-minds-day-1/

Write-up of Day 2: http://telexlr8.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/asim-2010-conference-advancing-substrate-independent-minds-day-2/

Full coverage with videos: http://telexlr8.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/full-video-coverage-asim-2010-conference-advancing-substrate-independent-minds/

Facebook Event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103277486391436

The beautiful ASIM-2010 T-shirts designed by resident scientist-artist Suzanne Gildert are still available! To order one, contact Randal.A.Koene@carboncopies.org.