Singularity Hypotheses

Abstract

This volume offers authoritative, jargon-free essays and critical commentaries on accelerating technological progress and the notion of technological singularity. It focuses on conjectures about the intelligence explosion, transhumanism, and whole brain emulation. Recent years have seen a plethora of forecasts about the profound, disruptive impact that is likely to result from further progress in these areas. A growing number of scientists, philosophers and forecasters insist that accelerating progress in disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology may lead to the technological singularity: an event or phase that will radically change human civilization, and perhaps even human nature itself, before the middle of the 21st century.