Prelude to the Technological Singularity

Image courtesy: NASA

In 1903, the Wright brothers invented the first aircraft. 66 years later the United States put a man on the moon. Fast forward to 2007 when Apple’s iPhone unleashed a wave of smartphones that revolutionized global access to knowledge. 

Recently, Elon Musk’s Neuralink was approved to begin testing on humans, with their end goal to ultimately enhance human cognition and directly address neurological conditions and disorders. Musk plans on creating a brain–machine interface that allows for bidirectional communication between the brain and external devices. The interface involves implanting tiny electrodes, referred to as "threads," into the brain to record and stimulate neural activity.

There are signs that suggest the leviathan that is the technological singularity is beginning to awaken. Advancements in genetics, robotics, information technologies, and nanotechnologies create a reciprocal influence, propelling exponential technological growth. The convergence of these technologies suggests the emergence of a technological singularity, which could challenge traditional perceptions of reality in ways that are all but impossible to predict.

As technology continues to advance, especially in the field of artificial intelligence, there will come a point where machines surpass human intelligence. Once a certain level of AI sophistication is achieved, it could lead to a self-improving AI system capable of rapidly surpassing human intelligence, creating a feedback loop of accelerating progress. A god born from machines. 

I don’t know if the singularity is inevitable. It certainly seems that way. If it is, how can we even take steps toward securing a future for humanity? The future of AI will be influenced by a combination of governments, corporations, researchers, developers, and lastly the public. As power struggles persist over who deserves to be the arbiter of this technology, the timeline for creating human-level AI remains uncertain, possibly within decades. By the 2030s, a fusion of AI and human brains seems inevitable, with the younger generation growing up in a world where AI becomes integral to human existence much like the iPhone is now.

AI is the most powerful technology driving us toward the singularity. It still has a long way to go before it can be declared as truly intelligent. But I believe that the first truly intelligent machine will be the last invention that humanity will make, for better or worse. If its intelligence evolves exponentially it would be the key to saving humanity from itself by generating new systems and solutions that put an end to disease, war, and climate change. But if it's malevolent and hates humans and sees them as a threat it will wipe us out. Will we engineer our own extinction or achieve immortality through technology?

Strike Out,

RJ Price-Richardson

Editor: Grace Maneein