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As artificial intelligence continues its rapid advance, one word has computer scientists and science fiction fans waiting with bated breath: singularity. The word defines a pivotal moment in the future where technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, and disrupts civilization.
Whether that moment is tantalizing or terrifying, one firm working to bring it about is aptly named AI and blockchain developer SingularityNET.
“Our vision is to drive towards a positive, beneficial, benevolent singularity for the benefit of all humankind,” SingularityNET COO Janet Adams told Decrypt in an interview.
Founded in 2017 by Ben Goertzel and David Hanson, SingularityNET is a decentralized marketplace for artificial intelligence programs. The company says it wants to make advanced AI available to everyone through blockchain technology. Hanson holds a Ph.D. in Interactive Arts and Engineering from The University of Texas and a Master of Science in Applied Neuroscience from King’s College London, while Goertzel earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Temple University.
A major step towards singularity is bridging the gap between artificial intelligence and robotics, Adams explained—another focus of the company.
In computer science, singularity is achieved when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence, resulting in rapid, unpredictable technological advancements and societal changes. Why, Decrypt asked, would anyone want to create a robot or entity that could one day outsmart humans?
The answer, according to Adams, is progress.
“Progress just happens all by itself,” Adams said. “Technological progress is a forward way—artificial intelligence and the programming of statistics into computer programs… it’s been happening for decades.”
While many in the fields of science and science fiction have helped develop the idea of the singularity, the term was coined by Hungarian-American mathematician John von Neumann in the late 1950s. In his book, “The Singularity Is Near,” computer scientist, author, and futurist Ray Kurzweil predicted singularity would occur by 2045.
Adams says we are running ahead of schedule.
“We acknowledge that there are a number of research breakthroughs to happen before we get to human-level AGI (artificial general intelligence),” she said. “But we have built the technology stack for that AGI, and they could even emerge sooner than three to seven years.”
While AI and AGI may sound similar, they are years apart in scope. AI (Artificial Intelligence) is like a calculator that’s good at a specific task. AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), on the other hand, is like a human brain that can learn and perform any intellectual task that a human can.
In 2021, SingularityNET co-founder and CEO of Hanson Robotics David Hanson released Sophia, a robot that—in collaboration with artist Andrea Bonaceto—launched a series of AI and neural network-powered NFT artwork on Nifty Gateway. That same year, SingularityNET launched the Sophia DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization dedicated to Sophia’s growth, well-being, and development.
