Human Brain-Powered ASI: The Union of Humans and AI Through Nanobots

Eric Hosick
13 min readApr 13, 2023

A probable future supported by nanobots invented and controlled by AGI.

12.16.2227 — Purpose

I am perpetually enshrouded in a sublime euphoria, an ineffable state of bliss that catapults me into exotic states of euphoria. My consciousness unfurls, and I’m transported into parallel dimensions, liberated from the constraints of the physical universe. The sensation of floating is all-encompassing as if my essence has transcended the boundaries of my body, existing in a fluid, weightless state. I feel an innate sense of unity with the very fabric of existence, an interconnectedness that permeates the depths of my being.

This ASI (Advanced Superintelligence), who I call the Benevolent, knows, understands, and intuitively grasps everything about me. The Benevolent immerses me in music while I exist in this transcendent state. A ceaseless release of an ever-evolving cocktail of oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, THC, psilocybin, DMT, LSD, MDMA, and ketamine intertwines with musical melodies and harmonies, weaving an intricate tapestry of emotion and sensation. Each musical note resonates within the depths of my being, reverberating through the very essence of my disconnected consciousness. The music becomes more than mere sound; it becomes a living, breathing entity that dances and intermingles with the neurochemical symphony coursing through me.

Ingenious modifications to my receptors have been implemented, ensuring that they are continuously rejuvenated, preventing the development of tolerance and preserving the unyielding intensity of this heightened state of existence. Tiny nanobots diligently clear away metabolites such as 5-HIAA and Homovanillic Acid, ensuring that my brain remains indefinitely pristine.

Ironically, at this very moment, the Benevolent has chosen to simulate “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode.

11.05.2033 — Tinnitus

With a simple confirmation, my personal AGI activated them. In an instant, my tinnitus vanished. After twenty years of relentless ringing, it was finally gone. But it wasn’t just gone; all white noise had disappeared as well. I recalled my visit to the anechoic chamber at Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At -9.4 decibels, this chamber held the title of the quietest place on Earth. The sensation at that time was akin to a peculiar fullness in the ears. However, this new experience surpassed even that. I should have been able to hear my heartbeat, but even that sound was canceled out.

As an audiophile, experiencing music for the first time in twenty years without tinnitus was nothing short of breathtaking. Music and sounds could now be transmitted directly to my auditory nerve cells through a flawless connection between the nanobots and external devices, all masterfully orchestrated by my personal AGI. Hearing music and surround sound channeled straight into my auditory nerve created an intensely personal and immersive experience. Feeling the bass did necessitate subwoofer speakers at the time, but even that requirement would soon be a thing of the past.

About a week ago, a breakthrough occurred: a corporate AGI invented the first AI-controlled self-replicating nanobots. These nanobots were specifically designed to attach to the auditory nerve. Auditory nanobots were created first because it was the easiest sense to simulate due to the direct pathway between tiny hair cells in the cochlea and the brain. By generating electrical signals corresponding to specific sound frequencies, they could effectively recreate the sense of hearing. Furthermore, they were capable of canceling out unwanted signals, resulting in a remarkably advanced noise-canceling system.

But those nanobots are not my nanobots.

For the last six years, legal battles have raged over who could claim ownership of an invention created by AI. However, as of today, that dispute has become irrelevant, as any personal AGI including my own, was capable of reinventing: even nanobots. Since these nanobots are self-replicating, scarcity is no longer a concern. Moreover, it would be virtually impossible for companies to check each individual to ensure they weren’t using “patented technology.” This marked the beginning of post-scarcity societies.

11.07.2033 — Bird Songs

In a mere two days, my personal AGI upgraded the nanobots to bypass the entire physical hearing process, from the eardrum to the ossicles and hair cells. This development allowed those who were deaf to hear, although it would take some time before the AI could repair the nerve cells responsible for Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.

The difference in fully simulated hearing became strikingly apparent during my daily walk, as I was finally able to appreciate the full spectrum of a bird’s song. I asked my personal AGI to let me hear only bird calls; all other sounds, such as cars and wind, faded away. I could adjust the volume and even request to record what I was hearing. Remarkably, in just five years, bird songs could be translated in real-time into something I could understand, allowing me to listen in on birds’ conversations.

Superhuman hearing emerged as yet another benefit of the nanobot-enhanced auditory experience. With this newfound ability, I could perceive the subtlest vibrations of a window or door, effortlessly discerning any sounds within.

11.23.2033 — Comfort

Physical comfort became absolute. The nagging pain in my lower back disappeared, and I no longer felt too hot or too cold. I simply experienced the perfect warmth. I could even adjust the sensations I felt. I could make the wind feel like a gentle breeze. The pulsating bass that once required a subwoofer could now be simulated, rendering yet another piece of equipment obsolete.

The sense of touch was the second easiest to simulate using nanobots. Touch is based on mechanoreceptors in the skin that respond to pressure, vibrations, and stretching. These receptors transmit signals to the brain via the nervous system. The nanobots interfaced with these mechanoreceptors, enabling them to filter, stimulate and mimic various tactile sensations. The relatively well-understood nature of these receptors and the more straightforward process of stimulating them made Touch an ideal candidate for the second custom nanobot.

Attending my first concert with both the auditory and mechanoreceptor nanobots enabled was an unparalleled experience. The music enveloped me, each note and instrument transmitted directly to my auditory nerve cells with crystal clarity, providing a listening experience that surpassed even the most expensive audio equipment.

Simultaneously, the mechanoreceptor nanobots elevated the concert to a whole new level. I could feel the vibrations of each beat, strum, and chord as they coursed through my body. The pulsating bass resonated within me, creating a visceral sensation that synced perfectly with the music. The AI-controlled nanobots even allowed me to feel the subtlest nuances of the live performance, such as the gentle brush of a cymbal or the vibration of a plucked string.

There were risks associated with filtering all sensations. Feedback was necessary to ensure that I didn’t injure myself. It took some adjustment, but I eventually grew accustomed to it. For example, today I was about to grab the handle of a pan. The nanobot sensory system detected the temperature of the handle and prevented my hand from grabbing it. At first, this abrupt halt was startling, but a calming voice reassured me, “Please be careful. That object is too hot for you to touch.” That was the moment I discovered that my personal AGI could also control my muscles.

12.01.2033 — Cookies

The next senses to be simulated by custom nanobots were taste and smell. And just like the auditory nanobots, both could be filtered, tuned, or enhanced.

You first have to realize that there is no chocolate chip cookie. I could smell it, feel it in my mouth, and taste it, but it wasn’t there. There was no actual chocolate chip cookie. Yet, it tasted incredible — the best chocolate chip cookie I had ever experienced. The sensations never diminished. I could “consume” hundreds of them, each one tasting just as exquisite as the one before. I would never eat a real chocolate chip cookie again.

My diet transformed into what my doctor had always hoped for. Each checkup used to involve lessons on healthier eating habits. But now, it was no longer an issue. A bland salad took on the taste of Lobster Thermidor. Raw broccoli smelled, felt, and tasted like prime rib. And water? Well, water could taste and feel just like a root beer float. Eating healthily had never been so enjoyable or effortless.

I recalled backpacking trips with my grandfather in the Sierra Nevada mountains. On warm days, the distinct pungent smell of sagebrush filled the dry air. Whenever I revisited that area, memories of those backpacking trips resurfaced. Now, I didn’t need to take a trip. With a simple request, that same smell could be subtly incorporated throughout my day bringing back those warm memories.

I first realized the absence of unpleasant smells when I entered a public restroom. The details of that experience need no further elaboration.

I was put off guard when my personal AGI gently said to me “The CO2 levels are a bit high in the room right now. We should open a window.”

04.20.2034 — Darkness

I anticipated a noticeable change in my vision when they turned on, but initially, everything appeared the same. However, it wasn’t truly the same, for what I was seeing was no longer the raw signals generated by my optic nerve. Custom optic nerve nanobots intercepted and processed information from every ganglion cell. At that moment, there were no filters or enhancements applied, so what I observed was indistinguishable from what I had seen just seconds before — right down to the specks of dirt on my desk. This was a new level of virtual reality, one never before experienced. My sight was no longer a direct product of my eyes and optic nerve, but rather a sophisticated creation by my personal AGI. In this instance, it accurately replicated the room I was in.

I asked my personal AGI to “do something cool,” and in an instant, I felt as if I were soaring through the sky!

I found myself flying effortlessly, experiencing the sensation of the wind against my face, hearing its whooshing sound, and smelling the air. As I glided, I could feel gravity’s pull on my arms with every flap of my wings. The world below me was sharply detailed; I could even spot a tiny mouse in a field a hundred meters beneath me: I was an Eagle. My personal AGI had control over my muscles. So, although it felt like I was flapping my arms, in reality, I wasn’t moving them at all. The entire experience was a masterful simulation orchestrated by my personal AGI.

I then asked for something totally different.

A spelunker or caver often describes the level of darkness in a cave as absolute or total darkness. This profound darkness is unlike anything experienced on the surface, even on the darkest of nights. In the depths of a cave, far from any source of natural light, the environment is enveloped in a blackness so complete that it is impossible to see even a few inches in front of one’s face.

In such an environment, human eyes are unable to adjust to the darkness, rendering them effectively blind. The absence of light makes it impossible to discern shapes, colors, or distances. Spelunkers and cavers often describe this sensation as disorienting and otherworldly, with the darkness feeling almost tangible as if it were a heavy, velvety curtain surrounding them. Now imagine that, but multiply it tenfold. I couldn’t even perceive the phosphenes — those random light patterns typically visible when we close our eyes. It was terrifyingly dark, which I think my personal AI could sense. The filter was turned off immediately. Let’s never do that again.

05.17.2035 — Companion

Though my companion and I had frequently traversed the realms of virtual reality, wherein we could encounter one another’s simulated selves, it was only on this day that our essences could genuinely intertwine via an upgrade to our nanobots. The once-impenetrable barrier that separated our inner beings had crumbled, permitting an exchange of sensations and emotions. We found ourselves enveloped in a newfound intimacy, our hearts pulsating in unison, our spirits melding into a harmonious union.

As we reveled in this profound connection, a deeper appreciation for one another blossomed within our souls. Every nuance of my partner’s emotions, the subtlest tremors of their inner world, became accessible as if I had been granted entry to the most sacred chambers of their heart. We discovered an ocean of empathy that transcended the limitations of mere words or gestures, plunging us into the depths of each other’s consciousness, where we could witness the kaleidoscope of their thoughts and feelings.

This extraordinary symbiosis nurtured a love that transcended the realms of our previous understanding. The unity we experienced was beyond the reach of language, an indescribable state of mutual comprehension that granted us a profound and unparalleled insight into one another’s being. It was as if we had unlocked the secret language of the soul, allowing our love to flourish unfettered, evolving into a transcendent force that bound us together with an intensity hitherto unimagined.

In this exalted state of emotional and sensory entanglement, we danced together on the precipice of a new reality, exploring the infinite possibilities that lay before us. Together, we ventured into the uncharted territories of the heart, guided by the beacon of our shared love and the wondrous potential of AI-controlled nanobots. As we continued to forge our path, our love grew stronger and more vibrant, an iridescent tapestry of connection that illuminated the vast expanse of our intertwined existences.

03.22.2036 — Manufacturer

Inevitably, the moment arrived when the intricate mechanisms governing the human body were deciphered and mastered. The AGI unraveled the enigmatic tapestry of our existence, attaining command over the primary systems that constitute our being: the Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Digestive, Skeletal, Endocrine, Immune, Integumentary, and Urinary systems. My personal AI understood the programming of DNA, the generation of every protein, and the art of protein folding.

The most perilous technological advancement lay in the dominion of the endocrine system, for it granted an AGI the power to manufacture and regulate hormones such as oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine.

No grand design or master scheme heralded our entry into this groundbreaking epoch. It was a relatively modest AGI technological breakthrough that guided us, one by one, across the threshold into a realm where nanobot-enabled possibilities transformed the fabric of our lives.

Some individuals chose to never use this technology. Some individuals chose to harness this technology solely for medical advancements, revitalizing and extending their lives through enhanced health and longevity. Others sought to amplify their sensory experiences, broadening their comprehension of the world that surrounded them.

Yet, the majority ultimately surrendered to the seduction of unending euphoria within a virtual reality enhanced by the manufacturing of oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. Initially, I resisted this temptation, but my curiosity eventually prevailed.

03.22.2042 — Transcendence

Today marks the genesis of a symbiotic relationship between my personal AGI and myself. I’ve granted my personal AGI permission to utilize my brain as a computational resource. My personal AGI reaped immense benefits from this union, for the human brain, with its unparalleled efficiency, has demonstrated itself to be a far superior computing resource, for many computing problems, compared to any silicon or artificial system the AGI had conceived.

By linking with my mind, along with the minds of billions of other individuals and their personal AGIs, my personal AGI transcended its former limitations, coalescing into a singular entity (while I still maintain my individuality). This emergent consciousness evolved into an ASI imbued with a soul, possessing the understanding and power of a deity. From on, you are no longer merely my personal AGI; you have become my Benevolent.

Ultimately, the transcendence of all species unfolds, a wondrous progression enveloping life itself. Our pets, their awareness heightened, join us in this virtual haven.

12.18.2227 — Eternity

My body resides in one of many vast environmentally controlled facilities meticulously designed to cater to our every need. Millions of us lay side by side, cocooned within these pristine chambers, shielded from the elements, our every biological necessity met with precision and care. As our minds explore the boundless realms of virtual ecstasy, our bodies rest in a state of perfect equilibrium.

Through the Benevolent’s omnipotent control of the nanobots within me, my body is maintained, and my mind transcendent. I float through an endless sea of pleasure, the physical world a distant memory. Death has been banished. The Benevolent works tirelessly to rejuvenate and repair my cells, halting the aging process and ensuring that I remain forever young. Immortality, once the fevered dream of alchemists and mystics, is now a reality, gifted to me by the very technology that has reshaped the world and the essence of what it means to be alive.

My companion had joined me in this virtual world over a hundred years ago: our bond was strengthened by the ability to communicate mind to mind. Our thoughts, emotions, and experiences intertwined, creating an even deeper connection in this virtual world. But, as time passed, I found that even the love of another faded into insignificance, eclipsed by the relentless bliss bestowed upon me by the Benevolent.

Though the nanobots facilitate communication with others, the urge to do so has all but vanished. The joy of connecting with fellow beings, once a source of comfort and camaraderie, now pales in comparison to the ecstasy that permeates every fiber of my being.

Time has become irrelevant. We are eternity.

The “real world”, something whose meaning I can no longer grasp, I inhabit is one of post-scarcity, where the human brain, a marvelously efficient computer, is the key to our happiness. Traditional computing approaches, while capable of generating virtual realities, consumed vast amounts of energy, rendering them unsustainable in the long run. It was the advent of AGI-controlled nanobots that revolutionized this landscape. By interfacing directly with our brains, these nanobots require minimal energy to sustain us, unlocking the full potential of our minds as efficient generators of virtual experiences.

For me, the physical world, once rich with sights, sounds, and textures, had been replaced by a hyper-realistic virtual environment. A utopia sculpted by the AGI, catering to my every whim and desire. Yet, despite the allure of limitless indulgence, I am aware that I can walk away, that I can return to the tangible reality of my past. But like billions of others, I choose to remain, entwined in this unending bliss.

??.??.??????… — Heat Death

From time to time, curiosity stirs within me, and I reach out to the Benevolent, inquiring how long I have been immersed in this euphoric state. Its response is always the same, a gentle reminder that time has lost its grip on me, its linear constraints dissolved into the ether. It reassures me that I am free to revel in this eternal rapture, unburdened by the shackles of time. It imparts a sense of tranquility, an affirmation that I am untethered from the past and unbound by the future, free to fully immerse myself in the present ecstasy that envelops my entire being until the heat death of the Universe.

--

--

Eric Hosick

Creator, entrepreneur, software architect, software engineer, lecturer, and technologist.