EP 146: Artificial Intelligence and the Two Singularities with Calum Chace

“Optimism, like pessimism, is a bias, and to be avoided. But summoning the determination to rise to a challenge and succeed is a virtue.” - Calum Chace

Today’s guest argues that in the course of this century, the exponential growth in the capability of AI is likely to bring about two "singularities" - points at which conditions are so extreme that the normal rules break down.

The first is the economic singularity, when machine skill reaches a level that renders many of us unemployable and requires an overhaul of our current economic and social systems.

The second is the technological singularity, when machine intelligence reaches and then surpasses the cognitive abilities of an adult human, relegating us to the second smartest species on the planet.

These singularities will present huge challenges, but this he argues that we can meet these challenges and overcome them. If we do, the rewards could be almost unimaginable.

Artificial intelligence can turn out to be the best thing ever to happen to humanity, making our future wonderful almost beyond imagination. But only if we address head-on the challenges that it will raise.

We welcome expert on artificial intelligence, and its likely future impact on society and bestselling author of many books including the focus of today’s show “Artificial Intelligence and the Two Singularities”, Calum Chace, welcome to the show

We discuss:

• The Terminology
• Technological Singularity
• Economic Singularity
• Exponential Change
• Artificial General Intelligence
• The AI race
• Technological Joblessness
• Universal Basic Income
• Impact on Society
• What is being done
• The Gods and the Useless
• Transhumanism
• Augmented Humanity
• Centaurs
• Privacy Concerns

More about Calum here;

http://www.pandoras-brain.com/

and the book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0815368534/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i6