Is there the final, clear frontier between this what is yet a domain of science-fiction and contemporary science or science of not so distant future? How close has humanity already approached to a remarkable, technological breakthrough? How will we interact with truly advanced, independent and self-conscious A.I. …?
Ray Kurzweil* points out the fact that the pace the man adopts to technological progress still accelerates what means, that less time is required between the invention of a new device (technology or service) and its’ common use by the general public. For example, spoken language needed hundred thousand years for dissemination, meanwhile social networks(media) and internet blogs only two, three decades. This tendency, particularly seen in recent times, was accurately predicted by John von Neumann**, who was the first to determine a term „singularity” to describe a new socio-technological phenomena. According to his view, and calculations from 1955, there is 38 years left. Can one then define exact time when(if) it happens...?
In this context, the Universe seems to be a little bit "neglected" although new discoveries are made, technology is continuously developed and, generally, space becomes much more „available” (though we still can't buy ticket to the Moon). This allows companies from a private sector not only to establish cooperation with (inter)national space agencies, but to undertake its own, in many cases, ambitious projects. However – regardless the subject of these efforts – perhaps not all is told to us… This way we, as a species, are somehow trapped in our neighbourhood, without reliable capability to get even to Mars with manned mission, albeit we still mark our presence there by sending more sophisticated and versatile probes and rovers. If space sector was developed as fast as aviation – after the first flight of the Wright brothers, at the beginning of XXth century – it’s very likely that today space travels and the large-scale exploration of the cosmos (both manned and unmanned) wouldn’t be technological, logistical and, last but not least, financial challenge.
Nevertheless, after all, we are on the way to the singularity; the process that seems to be inevitable. One could add, however, a modifier „polarized” to emphasise different attitudes to the issue. Changes always rise questions and fears. Combat drones have already, permanently, reshaped the warfare. Some would like to make them fully autonomous in decisions. What singularity will bring then…? An unimaginable breakthrough in different fields of humans’ education? Will it be a kind of important, but natural, turning point or just the end of human race being so often an integral part of different prophecies…?
There's no unambiguous answer. So far... Therefore, we should very carefully consider all the pros and cons, bearing in mind that many of our present and past deeds and activities, were/are, unfortunately, powered by a disastrous, warlike gen. For that reason, it’s indeed a matter of great concern of all decision-makers, scientists and wise minds that we wouldn’t make this "defect" a predominant feature of the thinking machines of tomorrow. If we fail in this field, they will, finally, outsmart us one day.
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* A pillar of R&D department of a well-known technology company, an inventor, a futurist and an author.
** A remarkable American mathematician of Hungarian descent, co-author of the first electronic computer.