Comments on: 5-Minute Singularity Intro http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/ The Singularity Institute exists to confront the challenge of powerful AI, both the opportunity and the risk. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:24:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Ganesh http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-11 Ganesh Tue, 29 May 2007 11:42:56 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-11 Every advance must start with a specific end in mind. Whatever research the scientists are pursuing - is it an end in itself? Does it have a particular goal in mind? I think deciding this destination (or sometimes lack of it) is the biggest problem in the discourse of human advancement. This involves not only scientific efforts, but has strong philosophical overtones. If science and philosophy do not meet, we experience the dilemma we are facing today, for example regarding stem cells research. It is therefore that the point raised by Eliezer of lack of sufficient attention, gains importance. If humanity fails to bring these critical issues within her sphere of control, her future is bound to be shaky. On the other hand, AI scientists should ponder and visualize where AI advances will fit within the scheme of human welfare. Anyway, I am anticipating an intellectually fulfilling blog, which does not exclude those unknown to the technicalities of AI and who nevertheless are interested in human advancement. Every advance must start with a specific end in mind. Whatever research the scientists are pursuing - is it an end in itself? Does it have a particular goal in mind? I think deciding this destination (or sometimes lack of it) is the biggest problem in the discourse of human advancement. This involves not only scientific efforts, but has strong philosophical overtones. If science and philosophy do not meet, we experience the dilemma we are facing today, for example regarding stem cells research.

It is therefore that the point raised by Eliezer of lack of sufficient attention, gains importance. If humanity fails to bring these critical issues within her sphere of control, her future is bound to be shaky.

On the other hand, AI scientists should ponder and visualize where AI advances will fit within the scheme of human welfare. Anyway, I am anticipating an intellectually fulfilling blog, which does not exclude those unknown to the technicalities of AI and who nevertheless are interested in human advancement.

]]> By: Nick Hoffman http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-12 Nick Hoffman Tue, 29 May 2007 22:06:25 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-12 I'm currently studying business at the Stern School in NYU, but I'd much rater dedicate my life to studying and preparing for the singularity. I think Kurzweil underestimates the rate of tech growth we're going through based on unpredicted technological advances. This issue seems so pressing that i want to just drop what I'm doing and change my studies to be more involved in singularity research, AI, and neuroscience. If you know of any people that need research assistance in Manhattan or the California Bay Area, or perhaps internships in related fields, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could send me their way. My email is ndh221@stern.nyu.edu. Thanks! Nick I’m currently studying business at the Stern School in NYU, but I’d much rater dedicate my life to studying and preparing for the singularity. I think Kurzweil underestimates the rate of tech growth we’re going through based on unpredicted technological advances. This issue seems so pressing that i want to just drop what I’m doing and change my studies to be more involved in singularity research, AI, and neuroscience.

If you know of any people that need research assistance in Manhattan or the California Bay Area, or perhaps internships in related fields, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could send me their way. My email is ndh221@stern.nyu.edu. Thanks!

Nick

]]> By: Chris Keller http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-14 Chris Keller Fri, 01 Jun 2007 17:33:30 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-14 I'm excited to find a place where these ideas can be shared and discussed. This is the single most important project of the modern world! When this technology becomes a reality nothing will ever be the same. My personal opinion is that we should focus on brain computer integration rather than AI, but which ever technology succeeds first, all other research will be simplified. A tool this powerful will assist in developing solutions to the energy crisis, global warming, disease control, and every other problem that is currently plaguing our world. Because of the potential rewards, I would like to see a "Manhattan Project" style of approach where massive funds are allocated to reverse engineering the brain and developing biological integrated circuitry. With the current problems facing human civilization, how could we not push this development at all costs? This advance can not be under emphasize. I'm curious if lobby groups have been establish. I’m excited to find a place where these ideas can be shared and discussed. This is the single most important project of the modern world! When this technology becomes a reality nothing will ever be the same. My personal opinion is that we should focus on brain computer integration rather than AI, but which ever technology succeeds first, all other research will be simplified. A tool this powerful will assist in developing solutions to the energy crisis, global warming, disease control, and every other problem that is currently plaguing our world. Because of the potential rewards, I would like to see a “Manhattan Project” style of approach where massive funds are allocated to reverse engineering the brain and developing biological integrated circuitry. With the current problems facing human civilization, how could we not push this development at all costs? This advance can not be under emphasize. I’m curious if lobby groups have been establish.

]]> By: Michael H. Cohen http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-16 Michael H. Cohen Tue, 05 Jun 2007 18:32:02 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-16 First, I admire and appreciate your work and that of like-minded explorers. It has been an education trying to digest this material after reading "The Singularity is Near" as a starting point. Has anyone explored the connections between the Singularity and spirituality? I'm a lawyer who specializes in health care issues relating to complementary and alternative medicine. I have also explored energy healing. The idea of balance is important in many "CAM" therapies, such as acupuncture. So is the mind. It is difficult to write about "consciousness" since there are so many perspectives and every academic or scientists wants to weigh in. Nonetheless, any cursory experience with meditation or even hypnotherapy is enough to demonstrate to most open-minded persons that consciousness matters, that states of mind are possible in which we can experience foresight, compassion, and states of being beyond rational, linear thinking. There is a possible meeting place here beyond the rigidity of religious doctrine. Most of the writing around the Singularity seems to come from the rational perspective, arguing for collective action by way of safeguards -- and this is doubtless critical - but what of the human spiritual evolution to correspond with these upleaps in technological acceleration? This, it seems, would be a useful vantage from which to view our progress (or lack therefore) and/or create benchmarks for work toward anticipating what you aptly call "the critical point of all human history" to which "almost no one is paying serious attention." First, I admire and appreciate your work and that of like-minded explorers. It has been an education trying to digest this material after reading “The Singularity is Near” as a starting point. Has anyone explored the connections between the Singularity and spirituality? I’m a lawyer who specializes in health care issues relating to complementary and alternative medicine. I have also explored energy healing. The idea of balance is important in many “CAM” therapies, such as acupuncture. So is the mind. It is difficult to write about “consciousness” since there are so many perspectives and every academic or scientists wants to weigh in. Nonetheless, any cursory experience with meditation or even hypnotherapy is enough to demonstrate to most open-minded persons that consciousness matters, that states of mind are possible in which we can experience foresight, compassion, and states of being beyond rational, linear thinking. There is a possible meeting place here beyond the rigidity of religious doctrine. Most of the writing around the Singularity seems to come from the rational perspective, arguing for collective action by way of safeguards — and this is doubtless critical - but what of the human spiritual evolution to correspond with these upleaps in technological acceleration? This, it seems, would be a useful vantage from which to view our progress (or lack therefore) and/or create benchmarks for work toward anticipating what you aptly call “the critical point of all human history” to which “almost no one is paying serious attention.”

]]> By: networkedbacteria http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-30 networkedbacteria Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:50:02 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-30 [...] Those of you needing more intro, Eliezer Yudkowsky of the SIAI Blog has posted a short, but eloquent entry that explains both the Singularity and the institutes’ mission statement regarding it. For [...] […] Those of you needing more intro, Eliezer Yudkowsky of the SIAI Blog has posted a short, but eloquent entry that explains both the Singularity and the institutes’ mission statement regarding it. For […]

]]> By: The singluarity | Golgoblog http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-2630 The singluarity | Golgoblog Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:13:20 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-2630 [...] culture, and society, and instead it would be dictated by the posthuman. I came across a post on their blog that reads, “The purest case of an intelligence explosion would be an [...] […] culture, and society, and instead it would be dictated by the posthuman. I came across a post on their blog that reads, “The purest case of an intelligence explosion would be an […]

]]> By: ALLROBOTS.com - All about Robots, Robotics and AI » On Singularity http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-43390 ALLROBOTS.com - All about Robots, Robotics and AI » On Singularity Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:43:20 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2007/05/26/5-minute-singularity-intro/#comment-43390 [...] Yudkowsky, in the newly launched Singularity Institute Blog: “Intelligence is the source of technology. If we can use [...] […] Yudkowsky, in the newly launched Singularity Institute Blog: “Intelligence is the source of technology. If we can use […]

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