Futurist and IT innovator Ray Kurzweil proffers many far-out ideas. And, by far-out, I mean his astonishing prognostications aren't too far away from being realized.

By 2030, Kurzweil envisions a society where technology is embedded in everything: our work tools, our clothing, and even inside our bodies. Kurzweil sounds utopian in what technology will do for society, such as nanobots entrenched in our bodies to fight off disease and aging. We get there so quickly because, as Kurzweil explains, technology is advancing at an exponential pace. I take Kurzweil's prophecy to mean that the brainy, emotion-laden computer Hal in 2001, A Space Odyssey will no longer be the stuff of science fiction by mid-century.

As the renaissance man of IT, Kurzweil presents his views in a just-published book, The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology (Viking Press).

I reached Kurzweil via cell phone while he awaited a flight at Boston Logan International Airport. In the first of five podcasts from our chat, Kurzweil explains the meaning of the title of his book.

To hear more of my interview with Kurzweil, which will be updated daily, check during the week InformationWeek's Podcast Directory Updates will occur daily.