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The technological singularity is a hypothetical event related to the advent of artificial general intelligence (also known as "strong AI"). Such a computer, computer network, or robot would theoretically be capable of recursive self-improvement (redesigning itself), or of designing and building computers or robots better than itself. Repetitions of this cycle would likely result in a runaway effect – an intelligence explosion[1][2] – where smart machines design successive generations of increasingly powerful machines, creating intelligence far exceeding human intellectual capacity and control. Because the capabilities of such a superintelligence may be impossible for a human to comprehend, the technological singularity is the point beyond which events may become unpredictable or even unfathomable to human intelligence.[3][4]

The first use of the term "singularity" in this context was made in 1958 by the Hungarian born mathematician and physicist John von Neumann. In 1958, regarding a summary of a conversation with von Neumann, Stanislaw Ulam described "ever accelerating progress of technology and changes in the mode of human life, which gives the appearance of approaching some essential singularity in the history of the race beyond which human affairs, as we know them, could not continue".[5] The term was popularized by mathematician, computer scientist and science fiction author Vernor Vinge, who argues that artificial intelligence, human biological enhancement, or brain–computer interfaces could be possible causes of the singularity.[6] Futurist Ray Kurzweil cited von Neumann's use of the term in a foreword to von Neumann's classic The Computer and the Brain.

Kurzweil predicts the singularity to occur around 2045[7] whereas Vinge predicts some time before 2030.[8] At the 2012 Singularity Summit, Stuart Armstrong did a study of artificial general intelligence (AGI) predictions by experts and found a wide range of predicted dates, with a median value of 2040. Discussing the level of uncertainty in AGI estimates, Armstrong said in 2012, "It's not fully formalized, but my current 80% estimate is something like five to 100 years."[9]

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makaveli8x8 said:

the real problem is the use of technology to enforce laws.  Every new technology fills a hole in the security of society.  Eventually every hole will get filled.  The problem is you can never trust those leading a society, and even if you could, you can't trust those that end up replacing them.  So what you end up with is a system that will fail, and when it does you're stuck with no choices, none.  At that point you've become a machine.  Worse yet, those in control could easily lose control of said system and not be able to change any laws, aka get locked out themselves.

basically what I see as being the singularity is that we get pushed down a path, lead by technology, that deep down nobody really wants to go down, but we follow because we always believe good will prevail and the benefits will always outweigh the possible bad things that could happen or that the bad things won't ever happen.  Sadly we will be wrong, sadly the sheep will follow.  What the future holds is a micromanaged, squeeze every ounce of energy out of human productivity slave life, that's what the future holds.

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I agree man. Enforcing laws and military applications. I think drones are a bad idea because it takes the human element out of the equation. The pilot is basically playing a video game while people get roasted on the ground. When leo use of drones becomes mainstream, I'll be very sad. Now imagine AI attached to those drones that can detect drugs and shit.

I don't know if there will be a singularity, but I wouldn't be surprised if biotechnology will advance to a point where it radically changes humanity. Basically, people will become androids and live really long and humanity will suffer.