Ben Goertzel

Ben Goertzel is a computer scientist, artificial intelligence researcher, and entrepreneur known for his contributions to artificial general intelligence (AGI). He is the founder and CEO of SingularityNET, a decentralised AI platform integrating AI and blockchain technology. He also leads the OpenCog Foundation and the AGI Society, which organises the annual Artificial General Intelligence conference.

Goertzel has worked on various AI projects, including his role as Chief Scientist at Hanson Robotics, where he contributed to the development of Sophia the Robot. He is also involved in Rejuve, Mindplex, Cogito, and Jam Galaxy, all part of the SingularityNET ecosystem. His research spans natural language processing, machine learning, computational finance, bioinformatics, virtual worlds, and theoretical physics.

He has published over 25 books and approximately 150 technical papers, covering AI, AGI, and related fields. His work with AGI includes OpenCog, a framework that utilises probabilistic inference and evolutionary programming to develop general intelligence. He has spoken at international conferences, discussing AGI’s future impact and ethical considerations.

Goertzel has expressed that AGI could emerge within a few years and that it may replace a significant portion of human jobs. However, he believes AGI will ultimately be beneficial, addressing challenges like climate change and economic inequality.

Beyond AI, he has explored philosophy, consciousness, and complex systems. He is also involved in experimental fiction and music, performing as a keyboardist and vocalist in the Jam Galaxy Band, which features a humanoid robot performer.

Previously, Goertzel served as CTO of Webmind/Intelligenesis and Genescient Corp. and as Chief Science Officer at Aidyia Limited. He was also the Vice Chairman of Humanity+, a futurist nonprofit organisation.

Ben Goertzel was born in 1966 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to American parents. His father, Ted Goertzel, was a sociology professor at Rutgers University. His family background includes Jewish ancestry, with three of his great-grandparents having immigrated to the United States from Lithuania and Poland.

Goertzel displayed an early aptitude for mathematics and science. He left high school after the tenth grade to attend Bard College at Simon’s Rock, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Quantitative Studies. He later pursued advanced studies in mathematics, obtaining a PhD from Temple University in 1989 at the age of 23. His doctoral supervisor was Avi Lin.

Following his PhD, Goertzel held several academic positions in various countries. He served as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (1989–1993), a Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Waikato, New Zealand (1993–1994), and a Research Fellow in Cognitive Science at the University of Western Australia (1994–1997). Later, he became an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York (1997–1998) and a Research Associate Professor in Computer Science at the University of New Mexico (2001–2002).

During his time in academia, Goertzel developed a keen interest in artificial intelligence (AI), cognitive science, and theoretical physics, which became the foundation of his later research and entrepreneurial ventures.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Goertzel transitioned from academia to AI research and entrepreneurship. He took on leadership roles in multiple AI-focused companies.

He served as the CTO of Webmind/Intelligenesis (1998–2001), an AI company that faced financial challenges and eventually shut down. Undeterred, he founded Novamente LLC (2001–2011), focusing on AI, machine learning, and cognitive architectures. Around the same period, he established Biomind LLC (2002–2011), which specialised in AI applications for bioinformatics and healthcare.

Goertzel was also involved in AI-driven biotechnology research as the CTO of Genescient Corp. (2010–2011) and contributed to financial AI development as the Chief Science Officer at Aidyia Limited (2011–2016), where he worked on AI-driven market predictions.

In 2017, Goertzel founded SingularityNET, a decentralised AI marketplace that integrates AI and blockchain technology. The project enables AI services to interact and collaborate, aiming to create Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) that is not controlled by a single entity.

Goertzel defines intelligence as "the ability to detect patterns in the world and in the agent itself". His approach to AGI involves training AI models in virtual environments like Second Life and developing OpenCog, a probabilistic and evolutionary AI framework.

He currently serves as the CEO of SingularityNET, Chairman of the OpenCog Foundation, and Chairman of the Artificial General Intelligence Society, which runs the annual AGI conference. He is also the Vice Chairman of Humanity+ and Chief Scientist at Mozi Health.

From 2015 to 2019, Goertzel served as Chief Scientist at Hanson Robotics, where he led the AI development for Sophia the Robot, a humanoid machine that gained global attention. Despite Sophia’s popularity, many AI experts questioned the actual intelligence behind the project, with some calling it a PR stunt.

After his time at Hanson Robotics, Goertzel continued to work on humanoid AI. He became Chief AI Scientist at Awakening Health, where he contributed to the development of Grace, Sophia’s humanoid sister, designed for elder care applications.

Goertzel has been a vocal advocate for AGI development and has spoken widely about its future implications. He has predicted that AGI could emerge within a few years and has stated that AI advancements may replace up to 80% of human jobs. However, he remains optimistic, believing that AGI will ultimately benefit society by addressing major challenges such as climate change and economic inequality.

At Web Summit 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, he spoke against efforts to restrict AI research, arguing that innovation should not be controlled by a few powerful entities. His vision for AGI is to create a system that is open, decentralised, and beneficial to all.

Apart from SingularityNET and OpenCog, Goertzel has been involved in multiple AI-driven initiatives. He has worked on Rejuve (AI-driven longevity research), Mindplex (AI-powered media), Cogito (AI for decision-making), and Jam Galaxy (AI and blockchain-based music).

Goertzel is also a musician, performing as a keyboardist and vocalist in the Jam Galaxy Band, which includes a humanoid robot musician.

Ben Goertzel has made significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and related disciplines through his extensive research and publications. He has authored over 25 books and approximately 150 scientific papers, covering a wide range of topics. His research spans across artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial general intelligence (AGI), natural language processing, cognitive science, machine learning, bioinformatics, longevity science, computational finance, virtual worlds, gaming, theoretical physics, and parapsychology.

His work in AGI has been particularly influential, as he has explored probabilistic inference, evolutionary programming, and cognitive architectures to develop more advanced and autonomous AI systems. His contributions to natural language processing and cognitive science focus on creating AI models that mimic human-like reasoning and learning processes. Additionally, his research in bioinformatics and longevity science examines how AI can be applied to improve healthcare and extend human lifespan.

Goertzel has also investigated the role of AI in computational finance, using machine learning to predict market trends and automate financial decision-making. His interest in virtual worlds and gaming has led to the development of AI-driven environments where AGI can be trained and tested in simulated realities. Furthermore, his exploration of theoretical physics and parapsychology reflects his broader curiosity about the nature of intelligence, consciousness, and reality.

Some of his most notable works include The General Theory of General Intelligence: A Pragmatic Patternist Perspective (2021), which provides an in-depth framework for understanding AGI development, Artificial General Intelligence (2015), a comprehensive overview of AGI concepts and methodologies, and GOLEM: Toward an AGI Meta-Architecture (2014), which discusses an architectural approach to building intelligent systems that can evolve and improve over time. These publications have been instrumental in shaping the field of AGI and continue to influence researchers and AI developers worldwide.

Ben Goertzel envisions a future where Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is decentralised, democratic, and beneficial to humanity. He believes AGI should be open-source, free from corporate or governmental control, and accessible to all. His work with SingularityNET aims to create an AI-powered global ecosystem that fosters collaboration and innovation. 

He advocates for AGI’s role in solving critical global challenges, including healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality. Goertzel also emphasises transhumanist ideals, envisioning AI as a tool to enhance human intelligence and longevity. His goal is to ensure AGI develops in a way that aligns with ethical and humanitarian values.

Ben Goertzel has been widely recognised for his contributions to artificial intelligence, artificial general intelligence (AGI), and decentralised AI development. His work has influenced AI research, cognitive science, and blockchain-based AI applications, earning him a respected position in the global AI community.

He has been a keynote speaker at major technology conferences, including Web Summit, TEDx, Singularity Summit, and the Artificial General Intelligence Conference, which he co-organises annually. His insights into AGI, AI ethics, decentralisation, and the future of technology have made him a sought-after speaker among researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders.

Goertzel's role in developing Sophia the Robot at Hanson Robotics gained him international attention, positioning him as a key figure in humanoid AI research. His contributions to OpenCog, SingularityNET, and decentralised AI platforms have been recognised for their potential to democratise AI development and reduce corporate monopolisation in AI research.

His media appearances and public engagements have further solidified his influence:

• 2012: Featured in The Singularity, a documentary by independent filmmaker Doug Wolens, which showcased his vision for AGI and the future of artificial intelligence.
• 2018: Appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast (Episode No. 1211), discussing AGI, decentralised AI, and future technological advancements.
• 2019: Appeared on the Epicenter podcast (Episode No. 275), discussing blockchain and AI integration.
• 2019: Spoke at the Teamz Blockchain Summit in Tokyo on April 6, highlighting the role of AI in blockchain ecosystems.
• 2019: Delivered a lecture at Budapest Brain Bar, one of Europe’s leading future-focused conferences.
• 2020: Featured in an interview on citiesabc, conducted by ztudium founder Dinis Guarda, where he discussed AGI, blockchain, and AI’s impact on society.

Goertzel has also received recognition for his published research and books, many of which have been cited extensively in scientific literature on AGI and AI development. His book Artificial General Intelligence (2015) is considered one of the foundational texts in AGI research.