The Momentous Leap- Day 11: Is There a Singularity Near You?
We are living in a leap characterized by exponential technologies struggling to interface with mostly linear humans. Advocates of exponential technologies and entrepreneurs believe they will solve all our problems. Peter Diamandis, founder of the X-Prize and Singularity University in Silicon Valley, is one of many thousands of technophiles who believe science and technology will be our salvation.
Entrepreneurs everywhere are accessing, adopting, and experimenting with exponential technologies, whose performance relative to cost and size is more than doubling every 12 to 18 months. Exponentials, which include technologies such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, advanced robotics, virtual and augmented reality, alternative energy systems, biotechnology, and digital medicine, are sparking a renaissance of innovation, invention, and discovery.
The concept of singularity refers to a hypothetical point in the future when artificial intelligence (AI) surpasses human intelligence, leading to unprecedented technological advancements and changes in society. This event is often referred to as the “Technological Singularity,” and some researchers believe it may occur within the next few decades.
However, there is much debate over whether singularity is a realistic possibility or if it is simply science fiction. Some experts argue that AI may never be able to replicate the complexity and nuance of human intelligence, while others warn of the potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence surpassing human control.
Regardless of the outcome, the concept of singularity raises important questions about the ethics and implications of advanced technology and the future of human society.
Due to the speed at which exponential technologies are accelerating, some believers in “the singularity” believe we are nearing a point where humans will transform themselves into cyborgs, and download themselves into machines, thereby demonstrating a serious lack of understanding of what it means actually to be human or even trans-human.
After 40 years and trillions of dollars of investment, artificial intelligence is now actually becoming very good at specific narrowly defined tasks, such as translation, voice recognition, playing certain games, searching the web, doing highly specialized research, animating robots, and delivering medical diagnoses. It has not yet succeeded in becoming conscious, nor is it likely to. Abstract reasoning, emotion, and caring for and connecting with others is not on the cards, along with being alive, procreating, and experiencing joy or sadness.
While it is good that we have powerful technologies at our disposal to make the world a better place, we also need to ensure that such technologies are used to help us thrive and not simply survive in an unjust system where a few owners of these technologies and platforms extract most of the wealth in the system at the expense of everyone else.
Another concern is that we humans also have a track record of using new technologies in evil, often military ways, whether they be nuclear weapons or killer drones. In other words, our new powers need to be regulated by socially responsible, ethical beings that care about truth, peace, beauty, goodness, and justice.
Finally, the vast majority of our species is inherently conservative- we take time to adopt new technologies. Any system, from individuals to organizations and societies, is able to change in two ways: (1) Individual parameters change in a continuous manner but the structure of the system does not alter; this is known as “first-order change.” (2) The system changes qualitatively and in a discontinuous manner; this is known as “second-order change.” Most people prefer first-order change, where things are more predictable and orderly for them.
When exponential technologies meet first-order change mindsets and behaviors, what is known as “resistance to change” inserts a great deal of friction and inertia into changing any system. Those already engaged in the momentous leap are open to change and welcome transformational, qualitative change that creates more thriveable outcomes for all stakeholders, making the old dominant design obsolete. Learning how to midwife and catalyze such second-order change processes is a vital skill for all those navigating the chaordic zone in the latest, greatest movement in the human symphony.
Day 11 forms part of a 48-part series on thriveable transformation in the 21st Century, excerpted from: “The Momentous Leap- Thriveable Transformation in the 21st Century: Healing Ourselves, Healing our Planet”. The book contains 9 Parts- Parts 1–7 have five “episodes” each, while Parts 8 and 9 have seven and six “episodes” respectively. If you are in North America, you can get your book copy here.
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