As we approach 2050, it is projected that human consciousness will
encounter a superior intelligence for the very first time: artificial
machine intelligence. It is important for us to understand the
evolutionary impact of this event, but also that we are being altered
from the inside out for the singularity to arise.
Are we ready?
Will we be adaptive?
How will we change?
The Coming Singularity explores the psychological impact of the
changes coming our way and the many adaptations we will have to make.
We are transitioning to a world of one degree of separation, with only
the illusion of privacy, autonomy and anonymity. All of us are
undergoing a transition to an electronic identity, one that can reach
back and change the real you. The question going forward will be, who is
the real you?
A cluster of psychological symptoms are evolving from our technology
interface--Identity Diffusion. Its key feature is the de-realization of
life.
Direct brain-to-technology interfaces will soon render our brains an
open-source forum. We need to discuss who is in there and why!
The impact of e-technology on human identity will be profound, but it is
also a prerequisite for machine intelligence to arise. We need to
discuss this.
We humans reside in complex, dynamical networks. The goal of artificial
intelligence will be to evolve and stabilize these networks. And we may
not be the priority.
