Whole Brain Emulation & Brain Preservation Research Institute
The Uploaded Intelligence Research Institute (UIRI) is dedicated to advancing and organizing knowledge in the fields of whole brain emulation and brain preservation. Our mission is to provide a centralized resource for researchers, practitioners, and anyone interested in these emerging technologies by collating hard-to-find research, terminology, and relevant studies.
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Join WhatsApp GroupExplore the key terms and organizations working on Whole Brain Emulation and related research fields. We desperately need NEW conceptual tools too, this list will gradually grow.
We have a lot of terms to indicate the main focus of the organization because we are still so early: Emulated Mind (EM (Hansonian), Substrate Independent Minds (Koene), Whole Brain Emulation (Sandberg), Uploaded Intelligence (UIs, (Pantheon)), Digital People, Whole Mind Emulation, Mind Uploading (Classical).
Ultimately we are already vastly different from humans of the past, it is likely that we will similarly refer to ourselves as humans in the future too. Whole Brain Emulation is the most technical term of them all (simulation v emulation, whole brain, inspired by comp neuro), so it is primarily referenced in roadmaps and generally when considering technical challenges. Substrate independent minds is arguably the most evocative in terms of philosophical and practical implications. Mind Uploading, and Uploaded Intelligence, are widely used by the general public.Refers to the degradation of brain cells that occurs due to delays in obtaining legal permissions for post-mortem procedures. This delay leads to rapid cell death, making it harder to preserve the brain in a state suitable for emulation or detailed study.
Edema refers to the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues of the brain, which can severely hinder preservation efforts. During perfusion, this fluid buildup causes swelling, distorting the brain’s structure and making it harder to preserve fine details such as synaptic connections. Perfusion causing edemas is one of the most pressing issues in brain preservation today, as it impairs the ability to achieve high-quality preservation needed for Whole Brain Emulation (WBE).
A distinct (unique), identifiable (residing within some notion of boundary, probably nonspatio-temporal in nature), labelable (capable of being indicated relative to others) cognitive instance; a specific person for all intents and purposes. In metaphysical terms, a type composed of a sequence of mind-state types.
Source: A Taxonomy and Metaphysics of Mind-Uploading by Keith Wiley.Perfusion is the process of circulating fixative chemicals through blood vessels to preserve biological tissues, including the brain. In the context of WBE and brain preservation, perfusion can be challenging because improper techniques can lead to edema, while delayed perfusion can cause cell death and degradation of brain structures essential for emulation.
A preservation method where the brain is submerged in a fixative solution, allowing chemicals to diffuse into the tissue rather than circulating through blood vessels. While it avoids some issues like edema, immersion fixation tends to be less efficient at preserving the deeper structures of the brain compared to perfusion. However, it's widely used in brain banks due to its simplicity and lower resource requirements.
A specific method for delivering fixative chemicals directly into the brain via the internal carotid artery. This technique is considered best practice today for brain preservation, though it carries risks of edema if not done properly.
Brain banks are institutions that store human brains for research and preservation. These facilities are often unregulated and can vary in quality. In some cases, they may simply acquire brains from research facilities and store them with minimal standards. Establishing well-regulated brain banks is crucial for preserving brains under optimal conditions for WBE research.
Immersion fixation appears to work for most brain banks despite being a simpler method compared to perfusion. Given the low cost and minimal resource requirements, it’s still widely used, though it may not be ideal for long-term structural preservation.
Freezing biological tissues at extremely low temperatures to halt biological processes, with the goal of reviving or preserving them indefinitely. While promising, it presents major technical challenges for WBE. ASC seems promising but is expensive. Straight freeze and other older techniques cause unacceptable amounts of ultrastructural ice damage.
The complete map of neural connections in the brain. For WBE, preserving the connectome is critical as it represents the neural architecture needed for emulating brain function.
Hollow spaces that form in brain tissues during preservation, often due to improper fixative techniques. These artifacts distort the brain's fine structure, complicating efforts to map the connectome.
The idea of jumping substrates is not new:
"I would be glad to know your Lordship's opinion whether when my brain has lost its original structure, and when some hundred years after, the same materials are fabricated so curiously as to become an intelligent being, whether, I say, that being will be me; or, if two or three such beings should be formed out of my brain; whether they will all be me, and consequently one and the same intelligent being."
— Thomas Reid, letter to Lord Kames, 1775
We are indebted to all those who came before us, who suffered and labored to build the foundation upon which we stand today, and to which we strive to contribute. In fact, we always stand on the shoulders of billions.
The Mind-Uploading Research Group (MURG), an online mailing list established in the mid-1990s, alongside The Extropians and the broader Transhumanism movement, played a critical role in driving the first concerted efforts toward mind uploading.
The first academic roadmap by Anders Sandberg and Nick Bostrom from the Future of Humanity Institute has been an invaluable reference point, offering both inspiration and a foundation for further research. Anders Sandberg continues to shape the field, influencing many communities and contributing directly to Whole Brain Emulation (WBE) progress.
MURG later evolved into Minduploading.org, and subsequently Carboncopies, under the leadership of Dr. Randal A. Koene. Carboncopies is fully dedicated to expediting WBE, with the launch of initiatives like Braingenix, and provides a remarkable collection of resources and philosophical insights.
Progress in brain preservation has also been greatly advanced by the Brain Preservation Foundation, thanks to its advisors, network, and the dedicated efforts of Kenneth Hayworth and John Smart.
And, as Kenneth Hayworth and Anders Sandberg have argued, whole brain emulation is the logical culmination of neuroscience itself, particularly computational neuroscience.
Naturally, a full history of these developments will form the basis of a dedicated wiki or book someday soon.
Interested in contributing? We invite researchers, students, and enthusiasts to contribute to the project. Whether you have studies to share or insights to add, all participation is welcome!
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