“Singularity Summit Asks, ‘Are You A Believer?” By Priya Ganapati

The Singularity Institute held a day-long conference in San Jose, California to explore the Singularity and intelligence explosion. They usually hold these rare gatherings of thinkers to explore the rising impact of science and technology on society. One of their most popular (as well as controversial) topics is Artificial Intelligence. They excitedly discussed various topics such as; when machine intelligence would surpass humans, the creation of artificial intelligence, the impact of genomics and how these new super-intelligent machines could impact and/ or improve society.

They are looking into making a design for a thinking machine by utilizing “OpenCog,” an operating system for artificial general intelligence. OpenCog is directed at creating a chat robot that could hold an intelligent discussion with a human, used to teach language, or software for controlling virtual animals. They are also creating virtual dogs that can be taught be using reinforcement and punishment as well as can be able to engage and play with each other.

These conference gathers seemed more intense than just a group of people sharing a common interest. When they sat down for lunch or engaged in conversation, they casually asked one another “Are you a believer?” This cult-like setting even took it a step further when many attendees shared their belief that the singularity and the domination of artificial intelligence would change humankind forever and that those who survive until the event happens will reap great rewards.

With all the advances in technology moving at an astonishing rate, the devote followers of the Singularity Institute may soon turn us all into “believers.”

References:
Ganapati, Priya (2008) Singularity Summit Asks ‘Are You a Believer?’ Wired News, 2008
Retrieved From:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/10/singularity-s-1/