The idea of technological singularity and what it would mean if ordinary human intelligence
were enhanced or overtaken by artificial intelligence. The idea that human history is
approaching a singularity”—that ordinary humans will someday be overtaken by artificially
intelligent machines or cognitively enhanced biological intelligence or both—has moved from
the realm of science fiction to serious debate. Some singularity theorists predict that if the
field of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to develop at its current dizzying rate the
singularity could come about in the middle of the present century. Murray Shanahan offers an
introduction to the idea of the singularity and considers the ramifications of such a
potentially seismic event. Shanahan's aim is not to make predictions but rather to investigate
a range of scenarios. Whether we believe that singularity is near or far likely or impossible
apocalypse or utopia the very idea raises crucial philosophical and pragmatic questions
forcing us to think seriously about what we want as a species. Shanahan describes technological
advances in AI both biologically inspired and engineered from scratch. Once human-level
AI—theoretically possible but difficult to accomplish—has been achieved he explains the
transition to superintelligent AI could be very rapid. Shanahan considers what the existence of
superintelligent machines could mean for such matters as personhood responsibility rights
and identity. Some superhuman AI agents might be created to benefit humankind some might go
rogue. (Is Siri the template or HAL?) The singularity presents both an existential threat to
humanity and an existential opportunity for humanity to transcend its limitations. Shanahan
makes it clear that we need to imagine both possibilities if we want to bring about the better
outcome.
