Immortality through technology: An ancient human dream about to become reality

The new specialist article on the M. Schall Verlag website sheds light on one of the most fascinating and at the same time most controversial future topics of our time: technological immortality. While myths and religions have been searching for life after death for thousands of years, today it is the tech elite from Silicon Valley who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Hardly any other field triggers so much curiosity, hope and skepticism - and rarely has a sober overview been more important than now.

This comprehensive article explains in easy-to-understand language how far research has actually progressed, which technologies exist, what appears realistic and where fantasy or speculation begins. It is not just about life extension, but also about digital preservation of the self, artificial bodies, genetics, neurotechnology and the interaction of large AI systems.

Why now? A human dream meets a technological turning point

The play deliberately starts at the beginning, with the timeless dreams of mankind. But it also shows why the idea of technological immortality is more relevant today than ever before. The last ten years have seen enormous leaps forward - from AI models that can process language and images on a human level to organ research, cellular reprogramming and the first attempts to deliberately turn back biological age.

Research programs worth millions from Google (Calico), investors close to OpenAI or private initiatives such as those of Bryan Johnson, Ray Kurzweil or Elon Musk are further reinforcing this dynamic. For the first time, there is a feeling that several technologies are becoming mature enough at the same time to accelerate each other.

How far along are medicine, genetics and anti-ageing technology really?

The article guides the reader through the current field of research - in an organized, understandable and non-exaggerated way. It shows where medical possibilities are already very concrete today, for example in cellular rejuvenation, organ regeneration or molecular biological interventions. At the same time, it becomes clear that the biological component is only one part of the overall topic, and even here it is more about prolonging life than truly "overcoming" death.

Cryonics, i.e. the freezing of the deceased in the hope of later resuscitation, is also briefly touched on. The article explains why, from today's perspective, this method is neither practical nor particularly promising - and why the actual focus has long since shifted in a completely different direction.

Digital copies and models of consciousness: What can be stored of us

One focus of the article is the question of how much of the "self" can be technically preserved. Modern AI models are able to reproduce a person's speech patterns, knowledge structures, preferences and modes of expression to an unprecedented extent. This makes it theoretically possible for the first time to create digital personality models that behave like a person, are fed with their own memories and grow over the years.

The article explains what already works today, where the limits lie and how digital images of a person could develop in the future. It becomes clear that a digital version is not a second person - but it can be a remarkably authentic, adaptive mirror image.

Humanoid robots and artificial bodies: technology on its way into the physical world

The article also looks at how far robotics technology has already come in the direction of human-like bodies. The first prototypes, which walk, talk, gesticulate and even show facial expressions, still seem unfamiliar, but development is progressing faster every year. Major investors see this as a mass market of the future - from care and services to personal assistance systems.

In combination with digital personality models, a completely new scenario is emerging: artificial bodies that are controlled by an AI identity, which in turn is based on the memories and expressions of a real person.

New social issues: aspirations, risks and necessary responsibility

In a further section, the article examines the social consequences. What does technological immortality mean for relatives? What about inheritance rights, identity, data protection, religion or political stability? How do we deal with digital images of the deceased? Does a robot with a human character have to become a legal entity in its own right?

The article remains factual, refuses sensationalism and shows: We are only at the beginning of a development that goes far beyond science and technology. And this is precisely why we need a calm, historically aware approach - without alarmism, but also without naivety.

A personal view: Why data sovereignty is becoming important for everyone

The article concludes by summarizing why personal data sovereignty is likely to play a decisive role in the future. Anyone who wants to create digital images of themselves in the long term - whether out of curiosity, creativity or as a service for relatives - needs clear structures, secure systems and local storage.

The author calmly and pragmatically describes why he himself archives private data, chat histories and knowledge collections locally and sets up his own AI systems. Not to chase after some science fiction, but to be prepared for the long term. The text emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility, which has always been a foundation of technological development.

More information and sources in the full article

The full article contains numerous international sources, scientific studies, technology reports and videos on the topic. This gives readers a comprehensive overview of the current state of research - serious, comprehensible and without unnecessary exaggeration.

You can find the full article on the author's website:
Immortality through technology: how far research and AI really are

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

* What is meant by "technological immortality"?
Technological immortality is not a mystical or religious concept, but the attempt to extend or digitally preserve individual aspects of human life with the help of modern technology. This includes medical anti-aging strategies, artificial organs, neurotechnology and digital models of our own behavior and knowledge. The aim is not to "abolish" death, but to redefine the boundary between life, personality and technology.

* How realistic is it to store human consciousness?
A complete copy of consciousness is not feasible from today's point of view. However, AI models can already create astonishingly accurate replicas of language, thought structures, interests and memories. Although these digital images are not a "second person", they can behave like a very precise, adaptive mirror image. This brings at least one form of digital fortexistence within reach - but without a metaphysical or spiritual dimension.

* Why are tech billionaires investing so much money in this topic?
The current technology phase is unique: medicine, AI, robotics and genetics are developing simultaneously at a rapid pace. People like Elon Musk, Bryan Johnson, Ray Kurzweil and the Google founders see this as a historic opportunity to radically extend human life. They are not investing because they want to "live forever" - but because they believe that technological leaps offer great social opportunities and unleash enormous economic potential.

* What role does Elon Musk's NeuroLink play in this context?
NeuroLink is not primarily aimed at immortality, but at interfaces between the brain and computers. However, this technology is a building block for future developments: It shows how thoughts, signals and motor processes can be technically read and digitally interpreted. This is important for artificial prostheses, digital learning systems and, in the long term, for models that can store personality traits.

* Are methods such as freezing the body (cryonics) useful?
The article deliberately takes a critical view of cryonics. Although bodies can theoretically be preserved at extreme temperatures, this causes massive damage to the structures of the brain. There is no realistic technology for reversing such damage or reviving an organism at a later date. The research shows that cryonics remains speculative and has little to do with the much more concrete advances in modern technology.

* How could artificial bodies and humanoid robots influence this development?
Modern robots are gaining in agility, fine motor skills and even mimic expressiveness. When these advances are combined with digital personality models, new application scenarios emerge: Assistance robots, artificial speakers, estate avatars or personal companions. Even if these are still dreams of the future, current prototypes clearly show where developments are heading.

* What ethical risks arise from digital personality models?
Digital images raise fundamental questions: Who owns the digital copy of a person? Can it continue to learn after the person has died? Is it the property of the family, the testator or a company? The article makes it clear that technological possibilities inevitably trigger social debates - and that clear rules are needed long before the technology becomes suitable for mass use.

* Why is personal data sovereignty so important?
In conclusion, the article shows that everyone should decide for themselves which data they generate, store and control in the long term. Anyone who wants to use their own AI models or digital profiles later on will benefit from collecting data early on and backing it up locally. This is not a gimmick, but a form of self-determination that is likely to become far more important in the coming age of AI.

M. Schall Verlag
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Herr Markus Schall
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Schall-Verlag was founded in 2025 by Markus Schall - out of a desire to publish books that provide clarity, stimulate reflection and consciously avoid the hectic flow of the zeitgeist. The publishing house does not see itself as a mass marketplace, but as a curated platform for content with attitude, depth and substance.

The focus is on topics such as personal development, crisis management, social dynamics, technological transformation and critical thinking. All books are the result of genuine conviction, not market analysis - and are aimed at readers who are looking for guidance, insight and new perspectives.

The publishing house is deliberately designed to be compact, independent and with high standards in terms of language, content and design. Schall-Verlag is based in Oldenburg (Lower Saxony) and plans multilingual publications in German and English.

This release was published on openPR.