\nINDEPENDENT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"the-matrix.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/s3fs-public\/styles\/article_small\/public\/thumbnails\/image\/2014\/04\/29\/10\/the-matrix.jpg\")
Humans are forced to negotiate a machine-controlled simulated reality in The Matrix Rex Features<\/h5>\n
Analysts at Bank of America have reportedly suggested there is a 20 to 50 per cent chance our world is a Matrix-style virtual reality and everything we experience is just a simulation.<\/p>\n
The report, which was issued to clients, also implies\u00a0even if our world was an\u00a0illusion, we would never know about it.<\/p>\n
Bank of America Merrill Lynch backed up the claims by citing comments from leading philosophers, scientists and other thinkers.<\/p>\n
BANK OF AMERICA: There\u2019s a 20%-50% chance we\u2019re inside the matrix and reality is just a simulation Myles Udland pic.twitter.com\/TltpYbjPxI<\/p>\n
\u2014 Sanguine (@laginchey) September 8, 2016<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cIt is conceivable that with advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and computing power, members of future civilizations could have decided to run a simulation of their ancestors,\u201d the report stated.<\/p>\n
The analysts took inspiration from inventor and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who believes there is a high probability the world is part of an artificial intelligence created by a future civilisation.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\nElon Musk \u2013 The chance that we are not living in a computer simulation is \u2018one in billions\u2019<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIts claims also appeal to the work of a philosophy professor from the University of Oxford. In 2003, Professor Nick Bostrom concluded there is significant possibility we \u201clive in a simulation\u201d.<\/p>\n
Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson also maintains the likelihood of the universe being a simulation \u201cmay be very high\u201d.<\/p>\n
Philosophers dating back to the 16th century, notably Ren\u00e9 Descartes, have suggested we cannot rely on our sense experiences to perceive the world.<\/p>\n
The Bank of America\u2019s report, which was looking at the implications of virtual reality,\u00a0explained: \u201cMany scientists, philosophers, and business leaders believe that there is a 20-50 per cent\u00a0probability that humans are already living in a computer-simulated virtual world.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn April 2016, researchers gathered at the American Museum of Natural History to debate this notion. The argument is that we are already approaching photorealistic 3D simulations that millions of people can simultaneously participate in.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the 1999 film The Matrix<\/em>, humans live in a simulated reality created by machines to control the human population.<\/p>\n