The same way it's defined in "The Last Question"
Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
21–30 of 59 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
#22I define it as when the simulation realizes it is a simulation.
Re: Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
#23At some point, the material correlates we use for compute, have to match what the human brain uses for consciousness. Probably those correlates are quantum mechanical in essence. And every quantum computing experiment gets us closer to that harmonious unity. But I don't believe it's a "given". We still use YBC oxide type superconducting qubits and not lab grown neural tissue itself ;)
Is there any indication that quantum mechanical effects have any role at all in human cognition?
Re: Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
#24I'm working on an AGI, early stages though. Check out https://lxagi.com to sign-up for the MVP.
An AGI isn't the singularity, though, unless it were fully developed and extremely well designed and implemented. It would need to be able to improve itself. That's the really far end of the spectrum.
Re: Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
#25The singularity is a human trying to reach the horizon.
Re: Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
#26Well, it's a spectrum to me. Glasses are already humans and machines merging together, and I feel that people in the 1500s would think the singularity had already happened to us, given how smartphones are available everywhere. If I had to choose an event, though, I think it would be the first time that human intelligence is enhanced by AI in some way (imagine offloading numerical computations on your mind). When that…
> what happens when rich people are not only richer, but also fundamentally smarter and more efficient?
One could argue that stock trading bots are already just that. Gives someone an overview of the entire market and performs transactions in matters of miliseconds.
Re: Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
#27It's predicated on accelerating technological progress, which can perhaps be seen to be true by looking back at how quickly society has moved through different technological regimes. Once change becomes too fast, it's impossible to predict what is about to happen. It's called "the singularity" with a loose analogy to black holes where a big curvature means that light cannot escape - with fast enough technological progress, the immediate future is highly uncertain.
The most commonly expected way that this might happen is via AGI - perhaps with self-improving AI - where a sudden increase in AI abilities might drive extremely rapid technological change.
Re: Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
#28Honestly? I define it as a sci-fi fantasy concept that's not worth taking seriously.
Singularities are illusions that occur when models break down. As an apparent singularity approaches either there will be a new model that reveals previously unknown information or there will be a crash.
Re: Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
#29Probably you should provide more context?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singularity?wprov=sfti1
Singularity to me is within a black hole, an astrophysics concept.
Re: Ask HN: How do you define the singularity?
#30The ultimate act of hubris.