Enhancing Human Intelligence via AI-Guided CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing

This research proposal explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to enhance human cognitive potential. It argues that while evolution prioritised survival over intellect, modern tools now allow us to ethically augment the brain regions responsible for reasoning, moral cognition, and abstract thought. The proposed methodology combines AI-driven genomic analysis with precision gene editing of fertilised ova, validated through animal models. The ultimate goal is to raise the baseline of human intelligence in preparation for a future increasingly shaped by automation and AI. Version 2: Expanded and revised. Includes updated background with detailed neurodevelopmental and environmental risk discussion, improved ethical safeguards. Version 3: Updated text with enhanced clarity, streamlined ethical safeguards section, and language refinements for academic use. Version 4: Major structural and conceptual revision. Expands the research into a multidisciplinary foresight framework integrating demographic, evolutionary, and ethical dimensions. Adds global governance models aligned with UNESCO, WHO, and OECD standards, with refined academic language and policy relevance.