Technological Singularity

As defined, "The technological singularity hypothesis is that accelerating progress in technologies will cause a runaway effect wherein artificial intelligence will exceed human intellectual capacity and control, thus radically changing or even ending civilization in an event called the singularity." This rapid acceleration of technology has not been a new concept As author and mathematician Vernor Vinge put it in his 1993 essay The Coming Technological Singularity, "Within 30 years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended."  The technological singularity hypothesis is based on the fact of Moore's law – that computing power doubles every 18 months. With such rapid growth the growth of intelligence will reach such a height that artificial intelligence will surpass that of humans resulting in the singularity. Even so, some argue that we have already reached the point where technology rules the world with computers that allow us to communicate with each other, keep track of complex systems like global markets and even control the world's most dangerous weapons. On top of that, robots have made automation a reality for jobs ranging from building automobiles to constructing computer chips.But at least for now we have the ability to control and program our own technology, which is likely not the case once the singularity arises. 

Can We Stop It?

Though the thought of a technological singularity is scary and a post-human era in our own lifetimes is even at times unimaginable, physical limitations could prevent such an event. The technological singularity can only happen if we can somehow create the hardware to support artificial intelligence, and even then it is unknown if such a rate of growth is even possible for computers to take over humans. All in all, our advances in technology could lead to great and powerful things, but we must make sure it does not grow out of control.