What is singularity?

Ray Kurzweil

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Ray Kurzweil has made many predictions over the years, some of which have come true1. He predicted that a computer would beat a human in chess by 2000, which happened1. He also predicted the growth of the internet and the shift to more wireless technology1. Kurzweil’s most famous prediction is that we will reach singularity by 20451. He believes that machines will be smarter than humans in just a few years2. According to Kurzweil, a prominent transhumanist and author of The Singularity Is Near, the development of artificial intelligence is inevitable and right around the corner2. He says computers will be routinely passing the Turing test by 20292. Kurzweil also believes that immortality is achievable by 20303.

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What is singularity?

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In physics and mathematics, a singularity is a point in space-time where the laws of physics as we know them break down1. In cosmology, a singularity is a point in space-time where gravitational forces cause matter to have an infinite density and zero volume1. The term “singularity” was first used in mathematics to describe a point in complex space where a function is not well-defined2. In popular culture, singularity refers to the hypothetical future creation of superintelligent machines1.