The idea that humans might one day stop aging has long sounded like science fiction, but one futurist believes it could happen within the next few years.
Ray Kurzweil, a former Google engineer and one of the most recognized futurists in technology, says humanity will reach what he calls “longevity escape velocity” by 2029. This is the point where life expectancy increases faster than we age. In other words, every year you live would add more than a year to your remaining lifespan, effectively turning back time.
“Past 2029, you’ll get back more than a year. Go backwards in time,” Kurzweil said in an interview with venture capital firm Bessemer Venture Partners. He argues that the rapid pace of biotechnology and AI-driven research makes that prediction realistic.
Kurzweil points to examples like the COVID-19 vaccine, which was created in record time thanks to mRNA sequencing and computer simulations. He believes similar methods will soon accelerate progress in anti-aging treatments, disease prevention, and even organ repair. “We’re starting to see simulated biology being used,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons we’re going to make so much progress in the next five years.”
The concept of longevity escape velocity is not about immortality. It means medical advancements would extend human life expectancy faster than the body naturally declines. Still, as Kurzweil admits, it doesn’t make anyone immune to random events. “You could have a 10-year-old with many decades of longevity ahead, but he could die tomorrow,” he said.
Unpredictability remains the main obstacle. Diseases like cancer are complex and not close to being fully curable, and accidents are part of life. Kurzweil argues that technology such as self-driving cars could reduce fatal incidents, but no system can eliminate risk entirely.
Kurzweil is known for accurate predictions about technology. He foresaw the rise of portable computers, Wi-Fi, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence beating humans at chess. Yet he has also been wrong more than once, proving that even the most data-driven forecasts can miss the mark.
Even if his prediction comes true, the benefits would not reach everyone equally. Access to advanced healthcare remains uneven around the world. Diseases that have been treatable for decades, like tuberculosis, still claim millions of lives each year because of poor access to medical care.
Kurzweil’s vision remains ambitious but uncertain. While technology may one day slow aging for some, for now, death and taxes still hold their place as life’s unshakable certainties.
