José Luis Cordeiro predicts that, with the use of anti-aging drugs, through innovative research in the field of biology, and with the help of AI, humans can live for thousands of years, if not forever. A futurist and mechanical engineer who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cordeiro is one of the leading teachers and founders of the prestigious Singularity University. I spoke to him about his book The Death of Death, co-authored with David Wood, and why he believes we’ll achieve biological immortality in this lifetime.
Could the promise of immortality, the death of death, once confined to the realm of science fiction, be a tangible possibility?
The death of death, and the future of aging, biotechnology and AI
I met José Luis Cordeiro at the Longevity Summit Dublin. It was at this conference, an annual deep-dive into the future of healthspan and longevity, that the thought leader, author, scientist, futurist and transhumanist told me that we’re edging closer and closer to Longevity Escape Velocity, and the death of death.
Bridging the gap to immortality
In a world where advances in science and technology are rapidly redefining the boundaries of human potential, one question stands out: could we achieve biological immortality?
The prediction, popularized by Ray Kurzweil, co-founder of Singularity University, suggests we’re on the cusp of what’s known as the “Singularity” – a future moment when artificial intelligence and biotechnology will merge to create unprecedented human longevity.
These days, the concept of Longevity Escape Velocity, or LEV, is no longer confined to the lecture rooms or laboratories of the most forward-thinkers in longevity science. It’s becoming much more mainstream. Renowned biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey has been a true believer for more than two decades. I watched him on YouTube explaining that, if we could get our body to survive long enough for further advances in medical science to come along, we could live forever.
From engineering to the future of life
Cordeiro, a mechanical engineer by profession, has worked in over 130 countries. His academic journey, starting in Venezuela and taking him to MIT, eventually led him to a pivotal collaboration with Singularity University. This is where his interest in AI and robotics expanded to include the science of aging.
He believes that “through innovations in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and nanotechnology, humanity might soon bridge the gap to living indefinitely young”.
Indeed, he even puts a date to this, saying that, by 2045, human beings could achieve biological immortality.
When I picked up a copy of his book at the Dublin Longevity Summit, he joked with me: “If you want to die, then don’t read our book, The Death of Death.”
The road to immortality
José Luis Cordeiro PhD and David Wood ScD write in their book, The Death of Death, that the incontrovertible fact of death is no longer an absolute certainty, and that science and technology are preparing to tear down the final frontier: immortality.
Not only do they present all the major developments, initiatives and ideas for eternal life, but they also show why there are a number of good arguments for seeing death for what it is: the last undefeated disease.
The bridge over longevity
If you’re interested in living and aging better, read this book. Even if you don’t want to live forever, the book will provide insights into recent exponential advances in artificial intelligence, tissue regeneration, stem cell treatment, organ printing and cryopreservation, among other fascinating topics.
Cordeiro and Wood also unpack the genetic therapies that, for the first time in human history, offer a realistic chance of solving the problem of the aging of the human body.
Lifestyle changes
The first and most fundamental step involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits, as we’ve long known. Exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep and mindfulness are essential for maintaining the body long enough to reach the more advanced stages of life extension.
Biotechnology and emerging therapies
Cordeiro explains that we’re beginning to see the development of biotechnological therapies aimed at slowing down or reversing aging. Some promising treatments include Metformin (known for extending the life of diabetics and showing potential in non-diabetics) and Rapamycin, which has demonstrated the ability to significantly extend lifespan in animals. Another key development is senolytics, a therapy designed to eliminate old, senescent cells that accelerate aging.
Nanotechnology and AI-assisted health
The integration of nanotechnology and AI is key to longevity and, indeed, immortality. This future will involve microscopic robots (nanobots) that can repair cellular damage, eliminate cholesterol buildup, and even prevent diseases such as dementia.
Scientists believe AI will serve as a crucial facilitator, using big data from wearables and health sensors to analyze and predict individual health outcomes.
The challenge of time and age
Of course, while the promise of living indefinitely young is within reach, the reality of who will benefit from these advancements is more sobering.
According to Cordeiro, individuals in their 20s, 30s and 40s stand to benefit most from emerging therapies. For older generations, particularly those in their 70s and beyond, the chances of reversing aging are slimmer, though not impossible.
When I asked him whether the planet would be able to sustain millions and millions of immortal humans, Cordeiro moved through this with great vigor.
He’s positive it will, citing a stack of research and statistics that show we’re very far off from any catastrophes that may occur due to overpopulation. He’s also quick to contextualize his theories.
Cordeiro says that, although groundbreaking therapies are on the horizon, those who fail to adopt healthy habits today may struggle to bridge the gap to immortality. He was clear that, whatever breakthroughs there are in medical science, the importance of lifestyle is the first, vital step towards longevity.
Longevity and access: a global divide
We also discussed the issue of access to longevity, immortality, and the concept of democratizing the death of death. Here, Cordeiro acknowledges that many life-extending therapies are likely to be available only to wealthier nations and individuals in the short term.
“In countries where life expectancy is already high, such as Japan or Southern Europe, these advancements will be more accessible.”
However, for individuals in less-developed regions, where access to healthcare is limited, achieving biological immortality could remain an unattainable goal.
The death of death means a future beyond mortality
The reality, as Cordeiro sees it, is that, as we near 2030, “the world stands at the brink of what may be the most transformative era in human history”. From the possibility of halting and reversing aging to merging with AI, the idea of living indefinitely young could redefine what it means to be human.
While the journey won’t be without its challenges, the potential to reshape life expectancy and health is closer than ever before.
“We’re between the last mortal generation and the first immortal generation. The decisions we make today, both as individuals and as a society, will determine whether we live to see this future.”
Cordeiro is personally betting we’re going to witness more technological changes than in the last 2 000 years. “Death will turn up to be a choice from here in one or three decades.”
Who doesn’t think they’re going to die?
For most of us, this concept may seem impossible. We grow up believing that we must age and decline predictably – that we’re programmed to die.
But what if this isn’t true? We know that our cells are constantly regenerating, even as we age. Skin cells are regenerating every few months, our lungs renew themselves annually, and even the cells of our brain are being entirely replaced every three years.
Yet, despite this incredible capacity for renewal, we find ourselves in a process of decline.
These are all weighty issues, worthy of much more airtime than we could give.
End note
I’ve always believed that longevity is all about adding good years to our life, without prolonging the number of years in poor health at the end. But after reading his book, and talking to Cordeiro, I thought a lot about the death of my death. It’s hard not to be challenged.
Cordeiro will continue to lobby governments and civil society on the importance of backing longevity. Indeed, as I publish this, he’s marching to Parliament in Madrid on International Longevity Day, also known as International Day of Older Persons, 1 October 2024, to demand that they declare aging as a disease – getting humanity one step closer to the death of death.
You can find the book on Amazon, as well as all major international book stands in several languages. You can also visit the website: The Death of Death.
Watch the full interview here.
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