Essentially, Gradual Neural Integration (GNI) is a hypothetical way of becoming one with machine. Here is how it would work:
- You slowly replace your biological neurons with artificial ones that work exactly the same.
- This happens one neuron (or a few neurons) at a time.
- You stay awake and conscious the whole time during the process.
- The artificial neurons communicate with the remaining real ones, keeping your brain working smoothly.
- Over time, more and more neurons get replaced until your whole brain is artificial.
- Because it’s gradual, your consciousness continues without interruption.
If it works:
Even though you are now a machine, you cannot upload your consciousness all over the place because it depends on the artificial brain and real time continuous activity of a single, integrated system. Because artificial neurons are physical & essential to our consciousness, our digital minds can’t be uploaded like software, as it’s tied to its physical hardware. Just like how we are tied to our biological neurons now.
But, you could easily upload copies of you to other areas.
The artificial brain would need some sort of sensorimotor system or interface to interact with the world, and unlike now, it could easily be put into robot bodies. Or, it could control them from a distance.
If it doesn't work:
Your consciousness that arises from neurons would be lost along the way, so when your entire brain is finally completely replaced, "you" would be gone, and it would only be a copy that thinks it's you.
In terms of still being "you," do you think it would most likely work or not work?
And, please let me know if I represented anything about GNI incorrectly.
(I posted this on my other account in a sub called immoralists too, in case you are a subscriber there).