Technological Singularity

Technological Singularity is the idea that computers will continue to evolve until they have great enough intelligence to "think," or be "awake," or in other words, until they are conscience. The most controversial topic in the study of Technological Singularity, is whether we can create an Artificial Intelligence (AI) that's equivalent to human conscience. One that would allow machines to be human. If a machine were to gain consciousness, it would most likely recognize humans as an inferior being, and most likely leave us behind, while they explore the universe. However, unlike most robot-apocalypse movies, in which the robots decide to destroy the human race, the robots would view us as their gods, or their creators, because we gave them life. This is most likely the reason, if they were to leave us, they would do so peacefully.

Charles Platt, Technological Singularity enthusiast, says he would not be surprised if human-like AI is created before 2030. The exact date in which this new AI is created, depends solely on the continuous advancement of technology. If humans continue to advance technology at the exponential rate, in which it has been going for the last several decades, this new AI shouldn't be too far in our future.

One of the most popular suggestions to avoid being left behind by this intelligence, is to simply turn into one of them. Putting our brains in a mechanical exoskeleton is not as futuristic as it seems. People today are essentially turning themselves part robot by implanting computers and other mechanics into their body, technically making them cyborgs. The next step in evolution could very well be becoming cyborg, or eventually even become robots.

Despite the preconceived notion that technological singularity is far from our generation's time, the truth is, we really aren't very far from being inferior to machines. The age of machines is only just beginning, and the fact that we are advancing as much as putting machinery inside us proves it. The days, in which man is smarter than machines, are in the past.

Sources: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/vinge/misc/singularity.html