Technological singularity

Intelligence Explosion Mechanics

If superhuman intelligence is invented it will vastly surpass human problem solving and inventive skill. Such an AI is often called seed AI because if created with engineering capabilities matching its creators it could autonomously improve itself. It could design an even more capable machine which could repeat the process in turn. This recursive self improvement could accelerate potentially allowing enormous qualitative change before reaching any limits imposed by laws of physics. A superintelligence or hyperintelligence is a hypothetical agent possessing intelligence far surpassing that of even the brightest humans. The related concept of speed superintelligence describes an artificial intelligence functioning like a human mind but much faster. Given a millionfold increase in information processing speed relative to humans a subjective year would pass in 30 physical seconds. Such an increase in information processing speed could result in or significantly contribute to the singularity. Some argue advances may result in general reasoning systems bypassing human cognitive limitations while others believe humans will evolve directly modifying their biology for radically greater intelligence.

What conversation in 1958 laid the groundwork for the concept of technological singularity?

Stanislaw Ulam recalled a conversation with John von Neumann in 1958 about ever accelerating progress of technology. This discussion centered on changes in human life giving the appearance of approaching some essential singularity where human affairs as we know them could not continue.

When did I. J. Good speculate that superhuman intelligence might bring about an intelligence explosion?

I. J. Good speculated that superhuman intelligence might bring about an intelligence explosion in 1965. He proposed that an upgradable intelligent agent could enter a positive feedback loop of successive self improvement cycles causing an explosive increase in intelligence.

Who popularized the term singularity and when did they claim humans create intelligences greater than their own?

Vernor Vinge later popularized the term singularity in 1983 through an article claiming humans create intelligences greater than their own. His 1993 essay The Coming Technological Singularity argued it would signal the end of the human era.

What year did Ray Kurzweil predict the occurrence of the singularity in his book The Singularity Is Near?

Ray Kurzweil added to wider circulation with his 2005 book The Singularity Is Near predicting singularity by 2045. He reaffirmed these predictions in 2024 in The Singularity is Nearer.

Why do critics like Steven Pinker and Daniel Dennett argue against the coming singularity?

Linguist Steven Pinker wrote in 2008 there is not the slightest reason to believe in a coming singularity because sheer processing power is not pixie dust that magically solves all your problems. Philosopher Daniel Dennett said in 2017 the whole singularity stuff is preposterous distracting from more pressing problems.

Technological singularity.

Intelligence Explosion Mechanics

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Common questions

What conversation in 1958 laid the groundwork for the concept of technological singularity?

When did I. J. Good speculate that superhuman intelligence might bring about an intelligence explosion?

Who popularized the term singularity and when did they claim humans create intelligences greater than their own?

What year did Ray Kurzweil predict the occurrence of the singularity in his book The Singularity Is Near?

Why do critics like Steven Pinker and Daniel Dennett argue against the coming singularity?

Predictions And Timelines

Skepticism And Criticism

Existential Risks And Safety

Transhumanist Futures