Futurist Ray Kurzweil, 17 Years Old, Appears on “I’ve Got a Secret” (1965)

Ray Kurzweil — he’s the futurist of our time, a prophet of technology who foresees a day when we will achieve Singularity, a moment when humans will enjoy superintelligence and longer life expectancies (perhaps even immortality) thanks to rapid technological advances. It’s heady stuff, and you can learn more about it by watching his opening speech at the first Executive Program at Singularity University.

Now we take you back to 1965, when Kurzweil wasn’t yet a futurist. Only 17 years old, he was a wunderkind, a high school student immersed in artificial intelligence who tinkered away, and eventually figured out how to program a computer to produce original musical compositions. When the producers of I’ve Got a Secret discovered his talents, they brought the young Kurzweil on the show. And the rest you can watch on the videotape above.

Related Content:

A Young Frank Zappa Plays the Bicycle on The Steve Allen Show (1963)

Jimmy Page, 13, Plays Guitar on BBC Talent Show (1957)

John Cage Performs Water Walk on “I’ve Got a Secret” (1960)


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  1. Shelley says . . . | February 28, 2012 / 9:01 am

    I always enjoy old black and white video, but….”Singularity” sounds lonely.

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