Inside the Quest for Cognitive Immortality: Can Tech Keep Your Mind Alive?

Some technologists are exploring ways to preserve a sense of self beyond biological death, a concept known as cognitive immortality. On Tuesday, November 17, 2026, science editor Mary Beth Griggs and senior editor for biomedicine Antonio Regalado will discuss potential pathways, including gradual approaches to extending mental continuity. The conversation examines how emerging technologies might allow a person's thoughts, memories, or consciousness to persist, raising profound questions about identity and what it means to be human. While the idea may sound like science fiction, advances in brain-computer interfaces, neural mapping, and AI are bringing these possibilities closer. The discussion matters because it touches on ethics, personal legacy, and the future of human experience. As research progresses, society may need to confront new definitions of life and self.