Ray Kurzweil is a renowned inventor, futurist, and author known for his groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence and futurism. Born in 1948, Kurzweil has made significant contributions to the fields of technology and artificial intelligence. He has authored several books on topics such as the singularity, the merging of humans and machines, and exponential growth in technology. Kurzweil is also a successful entrepreneur, having founded several technology companies. His work has had a profound impact on how we perceive the future of technology and its potential implications for humanity.