The Technological Singularity

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The Technological Singularity Explained in Simple Terms

Introduction: The idea of technological singularity is about a time when technology advances so much
that it becomes unstoppable and changes our lives dramatically. One main theory says that as computers
get smarter and can improve themselves, they will eventually become much smarter than humans. This
idea has sparked debates because some worry that super smart machines might become a threat to
humans.

Essential Technological Features: To understand technological singularity, we look at supercomputers

and how they can become super smart. This involves combining huge computer networks with super
artificial intelligence and interfaces that connect computers closely with humans. There's also talk about
enhancing human intelligence using biology. While machines have become very advanced, they are still
different from humans because of biological limitations. But the debate continues as AI keeps
improving.

How Futurists Think About Technological Singularity: Some experts like Joel Garreau see AI as a
positive force that can make the world better through strong artificial intelligence. Others like Vernor
Vinge believe that AI could surpass humans and take over the world. They talk about whether machines
could ever be considered human-like, which is still a big question.

Current and Future Technologies: Cloud technology and decentralized AI are important technologies
pushing us closer to the singularity. They help computers share data seamlessly and become more
intelligent. Future innovations might even connect our brains to computers, making us super smart.

Obstacles: One big obstacle is that machines can't think like humans with feelings and awareness. They
can do specific tasks well, but they lack true consciousness. This makes them different from humans, no
matter how advanced they seem.

Social Impact: If technological singularity happens, it could affect society in different ways. Some say
it will help us adapt and grow, while others worry about increased inequality and control over
information.

Conclusion: Technological singularity is a fascinating topic that explores how advanced technology
might become. While we can imagine scenarios from science fiction, the reality is still far off. It's a topic
that sparks philosophical debates about what it means to be human and how far technology can go.

INTRODUCTION
The concept of technological singularity is a
theoretical time point where technological
advancement becomes irresistible and uncontrollable,
leading to unprecedented changes for human beings.
The most prominent version of the theory states that
an intelligence explosion will occur where an
upgradable intelligent agent will ultimately venture
into a realm of self-improvement cycles. Each cycle
will create a novel and more intelligent generation,
leading to a powerful intelligent entity that surpasses
human intelligence by far. This ideology has led to
wide debate and differing viewpoints due to the
apprehension that artificially intelligent machines
will surpass humans.
ESSENTIAL TECHNOLOGICAL FEATURES OF
TECHNOLOGICAL SINGULARITY (TS)
There are certain essential technological
features in exploring TS, centered on supercomputers
and the development of superhuman intelligence. It
entails large computer networks interwoven with
super artificial intelligence and human-computer
interfaces that are so closely integrated that they
might be regarded as superhuman (Soares 2023,
p.2023). Moreover, it encompasses the aptitude to
enhance normal human intelligence by leveraging
biological science.
With the continued rise in machine
technology, both in reality and fiction, the
conversation continues to run over what differentiates
humans from machines. Machines came into being
because humans required mechanical assistants that
would handle pesky and unwanted tasks (Guliciuc
2018, p.309). These machines could run perennially,
with a consistent output, and never get tired.
However, as time progressed, people began to dream
bigger in machines. The thought of introducing a
mental aspect to machines has been widely looked
into, and in science fiction, it has been thoroughly
explored (Guliciuc 2018, p.309). However, this is yet
to be fully done and is not projected to happen soon.
Realistically, machines can never be fully human
because of biological and physical constraints.
However, debate continues on how close they can get
to achieving this status as artificial intelligence
continues to break barriers in the technological
industry.
In the future, the possibility exists that
people may be able to transfer their consciousness
into machine memory, allowing them to live on
forever as AI models in what is known as the
singularity. This would be a leap in technology that
would allow machines the ability to become humans
by infusing them with human matter (Grout 2018,
p.99). This is supported by research in metaphysics
and philosophy, which, in one way looks at the mind
as a spirit or soul that can be detached from the body.
The research known as dualism was largely
perpetuated by Descartes who believed that the mind
can function independently from the body (SEP)
(Grout 2018, p.99). Following this line of thought
would suggest that machines can then be capable of
becoming human. The bodily aspect has been largely
perfected and infused with human memory, which
would be the icing on the cake. This is also supported
by functionalism, which suggests that as long as
something functions expectedly, it does not matter
what it is made of.
HOW FUTURISTS CONCEIVE TS
Joel Garreau is one of the first thinkers in
the technological singularity. He delves into positive
transcendence through strong artificial intelligence.
Garreau believes that artificial intelligence is an
innovation that is bound to change the world,
hopefully for the better (Soares 2023, p.2023). His
interest in the positive transcendence of artificial
intelligence was derived from an innate need to
defend technological singularity. Garreau states
technological singularity best refers to the state
whereby strong artificial intelligence escalates
causing the development of a mechanized self-
sustaining civilization (Soares 2023, p.2023).
Evidently, his vision of transcendence is positive
since his disposition leans towards portraying the
characteristics of Heaven through artificial
intelligence.
The concepts of Heaven and Hell are
symbolic of revolutionary global scenarios. Joe
Garreau’s indispensable contribution to technological
singularity can be perceived in the Hell and Heaven
chapter of Radical Evolution (Tugui 2023, p.7).
Essentially, without darkness, the concept of light
becomes unfathomable. Accordingly, the positivity of
the vision can only be discerned when the benefits
are compared with the adverse implications. Skeptic
scientists such as Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk
have argued that the enhancement of artificial
intelligence will be detrimental to humanity,
however, Garreau argues otherwise(Tugui 2023, p.7).
He takes a persuasive writing approach to convince
readers of the authenticity of my vision of
transcendence. By persuading others to promote
artificial intelligence, more people would embrace
the true worth of artificial sentience.
 Therefore, despite the prominence of
negative stereotypes towards artificial intelligence,
the possible benefits should also be appreciated.
Regardless, Garreau acknowledges that his
inclination on the topic is not neutral, but leans
towards enabling technological singularity
(Bhattacharjee 2021, p.3). In his opinion, the
singularity event will enable the creation of beings
that can benefit mankind through advanced
subconscious thought. All in all, Joe Garreau’s
postulation embodies the traits of Heaven through
revolutionary changes such as technological
singularity.
Vernor Vinge is another pioneer thinker in
the field of TS. He articulates that technological
singularity is the notion that at one point the human
population will be taken over by intelligent and
technologically superior beings (Snooks 2020,
p.227). Basically, Vinge argues that technology will
take over the world. He claims that AI is making
machines more conscious. This consciousness of
machines makes them human. Theoretically, if there
currently existed a machine that could truly be
defined as human, then it would be deemed able to do
anything a human can do. This involves fully
managing all human-human interactions (Snooks
2020, p.229). Resultantly, people are challenged to
think of whether they would for example get into a
relationship with a machine and marry them because
they seem human enough.
Vinge’s philosophy of TS is supported by
Jay Saussman who asserts that if a machine possesses
the same contents as the human mind, then that
machine is human. This ideology presents an
interesting twist in the debate on the humanity of
machines. However, according to the mind-body
problem in philosophy, this does not make machines
human. Opposition to Descartes's view on the body's
independence from the mind also exists (Frauen
2021, p.131). A major difference will still exist in the
fact that the machine will only be able to operate as
far as the programmed logic in them allows.
Following and applying this logic in the information
presented above, even if the singularity were
achieved, it would not be the same as creating new
humans. People are asked to reflect on whether they
would still consider themselves human if they had no
arms, legs, head or torso, just their conscious
thoughts. From another point of view, humans can
construct meaning and think beyond what they know
(Frauen 2021, p.132). For machines, the possibility of
mental growth without human manipulation is
nonexistent. This essentially makes them machines
despite how realistic they seem and operate.
Despite the strong assertions, Vinge’s
ideology of TS is refuted on several grounds. Past
research done by great philosophers worldwide has
revealed that machines are getting closer to realistic
human-like abilities and senses (O'Brien 2022, p.15).
The researchers have shown that consciousness
cannot be generated in machines in fixed time using a
limited narrow memory. However, a machine may
have some abilities that may lead us to discern that it
has a human–like mind (O'Brien 2022, p.15). These
abilities include the ability to smell, which a machine
can smell, something that is extravagant and
dangerous to human life. For example, it can smell a
gas leaking somewhere and be able to notify the ones
surrounding it. Machines can touch, which may also
lead us to think beyond our uncertainties about
whether a machine has a conscious mind like that of
a human being.
The Turing test of intelligence is probably
one of the best measures of the mental consciousness
of machines and is a true litmus test of their
humanity. This test was designed by Alan Turin who
suggested that the ultimate goal of a machine would
be to deceive humans that it is one of them
(Kendiukhov 2020, p.8). On the face of it, it seems
simple enough since machines today can do a lot of
things that humans are able to accomplish. However,
the twist is seen in that AI machines rely largely on
programming logic and not true cognitive ability.
Using fallacious statements and manipulation of
words, it becomes nearly impossible to have a
machine pass the test (Kendiukhov 2020, p.8). This
suggests that no machine would ever be able to show
signs of human-like intelligence fully. To do so
would require critical thinking and the ability to lie
which is beyond the programmable capability of
machine. This means that the debate on the
consciousness of the machine mind continues to rage
on.
CURRENT, FUTURE AND EMERGING
TECHNOLOGIES
Cloud technology is one of the current
technologies that might be pushing humanity toward
TS. The technology will be a significant enabler in
driving TS and pushing towards attaining super
human-computer intelligence (Shuaib 2020, p.892).
Cloud technology might be a crucial stage that steers
humanity toward TS as the model enables seamless
data sharing between machines.
Decentralized AI via blockchain networks is
an emerging technology that might push the drive
toward TI. The processes in decentralized AI can be
further automated to enable fairness, transparency,
and interoperability (Bhattacharjee and Roy 2023,
p.9). It will also enable the growth of decentralized
intelligence, a self-governing technology that
accomplishes contractual duties.
Concerning future technologies, many
futurists predict that there will be significant
innovations that will drive the push toward TS. The
most common themes are human-computer
integration and super-artificial intelligence. It is
forecasted that normal humans will be powered
through supercomputers by attaching the brain’s
neocortex to the cloud (Bhattacharjee and Roy 2023,
p.9). It appears that the future will be marked by
innovations that connect human consciousness with
technology to enable the advent of TS.
OBSTACLES
It is vital to consider the obstacles in the
drive towards TS. The main obstacle is that machines
cannot generate consciousness in a fixed time using a
limited narrow memory. However, a machine may
have some abilities that may lead us to discern that it
has a human–like mind (Snooks 2020, p.895). These
abilities include the ability to smell, which a machine
can smell, which is extravagant and dangerous to
human life. For example, it can smell a gas leaking
somewhere and be able to notify the ones
surrounding it. Machines can touch, which may also
lead us to think beyond our uncertainties whether a
machine has a conscious mind like a human being.
Otherwise, machines do not have the consciousness
to be self-aware, and their emotions are the circuit
boards and programs written that instruct how a
computer should work (Snooks 2020, p.895). A
machine can only be trained to have the capability to
handle multiple tasks, having been programmed and
computerized technically.
Wider Social Impact
If TS occurs, there will be ramifications in
several social domains. TS can be evaluated from
three social perspectives: the functionalist, conflict,
and symbolic interactionist perspectives. From the
functionalist perspective, society is assumed to be in
a natural state of equilibrium maintained by a system
of interconnected parts working together in harmony.
Gradual change is necessary and desirable for
enabling the equilibrium model's growth whereas
sudden change harms the balance (Kukharenko et al.,
2022, p.15). TS will ensure that individuals gradually
adapt to societal and cultural ideas. Consequently,
gradual change enhances the stability of society
through the flow of information. Innovation ensures
that social change occurs progressively by connecting
diverse communities through TS.
Unlike the functionalist theory, the conflict
theory argues that society is always in constant
perpetual conflict due to competition for limited
resources. According to this theory, civilization is
characterized by inequality in social classes, gender,
and demographics. TS can widen the inequality
between different factions (Antony 2020, p.137). In
the real world, powerful individuals and institutions
greatly influence technical devices and information
flow. Thus, these entities can dictate who has access
to the information and what is accessed by people.
The phenomenon results in a digital divide, which
can be described as a gulf between people with
access to digital information and those without access
(Antony 2020, p.137). The digital divide describes
how conflict theory accurately represents human
behavior.
The last approach for evaluating social change and
technology describes the interactive relationship
between human behavior and their environment. The
symbolic interactionist approach suggests that
people’s actions are guided by the meanings they
derive from associating with their environment and
other people. In the future, TS can act as a symbol for
human mechanisms. Cultural lag exists, and it takes
time for human culture to adapt to technological
innovations (Antony 2020, p.139). When people use
TS, they undergo a cultural lag through which they
adopt certain behavioral patterns that distinguish their
social identity and character.
CONCLUSION
Technological singularity continues to rise
and impress. This has given rise to the conversation
of the consciousness of the computer mind and
whether they can reach a point where they can be
classified as human. It is an area that has largely been
explored in different science fiction media but has yet
to become a reality. Using different philosophical
arguments, different conclusions can be reached on
the matter. Those who believe that the mind can be
detached from the body i.e. dualism would support
the theory on machine and humanity. However, those
who oppose this view come to a different conclusion.
However, all people can do is speculate since this is
still mostly a theoretical argument yet to make
groundbreaking developments in practice.
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