In the new science-fiction thriller “Transcendence,” Johnny Depp uploads his mind to a powerful computer, melding his consciousness with artificial intelligence in a scenario many refer to as “the singularity.”Far-fetched? Yes, but so is the idea of a brooding Depp as an awkward neuroscientist. That doesn’t mean people are not trying to make it happen in real life, including Russian billionaire Dmitry Itskov, who makes “immortality” an explicit goal of his 2045 Initiative.

Read more: Depp Impact: The Science Behind ‘Transcendence’ – NBC News.com.