Singularity is the Future of ICT Research

1Osuagwu O.E1, Ndigwe Chinwe2, Uzoma Peter O3., Nwanjo C.I3., Duru Rosetta Okwuchi4, Ogbonna Dave5

1 Dept of Computer Science, Imo State University, Owerri . [email protected] . +234 803 710 1792 2Department of Computer Science, Anambra State University 3Department of Computer Science, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri 4 Department of Computer Engineering, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba 5 Department of Network Engineering Technology, South Eastern College of Computer Engineering & Information Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract Research in Information and communications technology (ICT) is tilting towards the Singularity. Technological singularity refers to the hypothetical future emergence of greater- than-human intelligence through technological means, resulting in explosive super- intelligence. Since the capabilities of such intelligence would be difficult for an unaided human mind to comprehend, the occurrence of a technological singularity is seen as an intellectual event horizon, beyond which events can not be predicted or understood. Proponents of the singularity call the event an "intelligence explosion" which is a key factor of the Singularity where super-intelligence design successive generations of increasingly powerful minds. The originator of the term – Vernor Vinge - and popularized by Ray Kurzwei has proposed that Artificial Intelligence, human biological enhancement or brain-computer interfaces could be possible pushers of the singularity conundrum. It is envisaged that if the singularity does occur, the predicted super-intelligent machines might take over full control of human activity resulting in the possibility of humans becoming subservient to machines. It could also lead to existential risks of the human race. The authors propose a paradigm shift in the current education practice in ICT towards advanced practical and dynamic training in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, mechatronics, nanotechnology, Software Engineering and now the Internet of all Things!. Government would need to develop positive political will to invest in Research and Development and create an enabling environment for supporting innovation if the black race are not to be left one hundred years behind Western nations..

1.0 Introduction What is technological singularity? A progress becomes so rapid and the growth technological singularity is a hypothetical of artificial intelligence is so great that the event occurring when Technological future after the singularity becomes

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qualitatively different and harder to machine creators to the extent of predict. The Singularity is an era in which challenging the existence of its our intelligence will become increasingly creators![2] non-biological and trillions of times more There is a total of 16 major fields in powerful than it is today—the dawning of science and technology where current a new civilization that will enable us to research is taking place around the worlds’ transcend our biological limitations and best learning and research centres. Of amplify our creativity [1] these major fields, AI, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the area of nanotechnology, Electronics and Energy computer science focusing on creating are the busiest and converging towards machines that can engage on behaviors Internet of all Things. All the new research that humans consider intelligent. The directions points to the coming of ability to create intelligent machines has technological singularity. You may also intrigued humans since ancient times and have observed that six main technologies today with the advent of the computer and are converging towards the singularity – 50 years of research into AI programming AI, Nanotechnology, Electronics, techniques, the dream of smart machines is Robotics, Information Technology and becoming a reality. Researchers are communications. creating systems which can mimic human Mechatronics is the synergistic thought, understand speech, beat the best combination of precision mechanical human chess player, and countless other engineering, electronic control and feats never before possible. Find out how systems thinking in the design of products the military is applying AI logic to its hi- and manufacturing processes. It relates to tech systems, and how in the near future the design of systems, devices and Artificial Intelligence may impact our products aimed at achieving an optimal lives, AI, Robotics, nanotechnology, balance between basic mechanical mechatronics are collaborative agents of structure and its overall control. The key technological singularity. The singularity objectives of our mechatronics program is is already here! Think of modern houses to provide rapid advancement in practical now remotely controlled from far developments in the field of mechatronics distances, think of e-commerce and ranging from application areas including electronic banking where you can be up- consumer product design, instrumentation, to-date with all your business and banking manufacturing methods, computer transactions on minute basis. However the integration and process and device control, real singularity is referring to an envisaged and will attract a interest from across the future where intelligent machines built industrial and academic research spectrum. with the tools of AI, nanotechnology, Particular importance will be attached to robotics, mechatronics will completely aspects of innovation in mechatronics change the future of humanity such that design philosophy which illustrate the machine will be the controller of global benefits obtainable by an a priori activities with less assistance from the integration of functionality with embedded

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microprocessor control. A major item will • Fourth-Generation Optical Disks be the design of machines, devices and and Holographic data storage for storing systems possessing a degree of computer and archiving data previously erased for based intelligence [3] economic reasons Wikipedia has defined Nanotechnology • Optical computing for smaller, as “the study of manipulating matter on an faster, lower power consuming computing. atomic and molecular scale.” Generally, • Quantium computing for faster nanotechnology deals with structures sized computing, particularly in chemical between 1 to 100 nanometre in at least one modeling. dimension, and involves developing • Quantum Cryptography for materials or devices possessing at least securie communications. one dimension within that size. Quantum • Radio Frequency Identification for mechanical effects are very important at smart storage this scale, which is in the quantum • Three Dimensional Integrated realm.[3] Circuits Global Current Research Directions • 3D printing for rapid processing of Of the six science and technology plastic objects strongholds identified above all are Robotics converging towards the singularity, Self-reconfiguring modular robots to leading to unique research trusts, thus: change the way we make physical • I.T. and Communications structures and • Artificial Brain for applications in machines. Swarm Robotics to make for neurological treatment autonomous and space construction • Virtual Reality for entertainment Modular nanotechnology or nano-robotics and education for designing and building smart machines • AI for creating intelligent devices Powered exoskeleton for heavy lifting, • 4G cellular communication for paralysis, muscle related diseases, warfare pervasive computing, machine translation and construction as well as molecular for cross-cultural communication robotics, i.e., robotic devices that are • machine vision for biometrics and molecular both in their size and precision control of processes • Speech recognition (b) Electronics • Cybermethodology Spintronics for data storage • Machine augmented cognition and Memrisistor for use in analogue electronic exotics and Artificial Intelligence • Mobile collaboration to extend the Thermal Copper pillar bump for electric capabilities of video conferencing for use circuit cooling on hand-held devices. Micro-fluidic actuators • Semantic Web for making the web Small device thermoelectric power machine-readable generation Flexible Electronics for developing flexible and folding electronic

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devices such as smartphone, flexible solar work and concepts that are more cells which are lightweight advanced. In its original sense, Electronic nose for detecting spoiled food, nanotechnology refers to the projected chemical weapons and cancer ability to construct items from the bottom up, using techniques and tools being Research Directions in Artificial developed today to make complete, high Intelligence - performance products. One nanometer (nm) is one billionth, or 10−9, of a meter. Nano-Technology or Nano-scale Nanotechnology will help man achieve the Engineering ultimate in precision: almost every atom in Wikipedia has defined nano-technology exactly the right place; make complex and as the study of manipulating matter on an molecularly intricate structures as easily atomic and molecular scale. It can also be and inexpensively as simple materials. defined as the engineering of functional Molecular nanotechnology will let us build systems at the molecular scale. The term new and entirely novel molecular was popularized by K. Eric Drexler in the machines and reduce manufacturing costs 1980s. Generally, nanotechnology deals to little more than the cost of the required with developing materials, devices, or raw materials and energy. other structures possessing at least one Nanotechnology is a key converging dimension sized from 1 to 100 factor (driver) towards the singularity. nanometers. Thus, Nanotechnology is the Current evolution and research trust in engineering of functional systems at the nanotechnology include: molecular scale. This covers both current

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Molecular robotics e.g., robotic devices Engineering Materials for Energy - that are molecular both in their size and These include: precision Thermal conductivity -The thermal • Nanotechnology Devices and conductivity is the rate of heat transfer Sensors . These include through a material in steady state. It is not • Resonant Tunneling Diode (RTD) easily measured, especially for materials • Single Electron Transistor (SET) with low conductivity but reliable data is • Quantum Dot (QD) readily available for most common • Quantum Effect Devices materials. • Building quantum wells using Thermal diffusivityb - The thermal molecules diffusivity is a measure of the transient heat flow t • Electromechanical Devices hrough a material. • Using mechanical switching of Specific heat - The specific heat is a atoms or molecules measure of the amount of energy required Electrochemical Devices • to change the temperature of a given mass • Chemical interactions to change of material. Specific heat is measured by shape or orientation calorimetry techniques and is usually • Photoactive Devices reported both as CV, the specific heat • Light frequency changes shape and measured at constant pressure, or CP, the orientation. specific heat measured at constant pressure. Sensors may include sensing agents Melting point -The melting point is the capable of detecting weapons agents or temperature at which a material goes from drugs- Nanotechnology may make the solid to the liquid state at one possible small, accurate, and easy-to-use atmosphere. The melting temperature is sensors to detect a variety of substances, not usually a design criteria but it offers including chemical, biological, important clues to other material radiological, and explosive agents, as well properties. as drugs. Glass transition temp - The glass Electron Microscopy - Any of a class transition temperature, or Tg is an of microscopes that use electrons rather important property of polymers. The glass than visible light to produce magnified transition temperature is a temperature images, especially of objects having range which marks a change in mechanical dimensions smaller than the wavelengths behavior. Above the glass transition of visible light, with linear magnification temperature a polymer will behave like a approaching or exceeding a million (106). ductile solid or highly viscous liquid. Below Tg the material will behave as a brittle solid. Depending on the desired properties materials may be used both

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above and below their glass transition stress and temperature. Often other temperature. environmental factors such as oxidation or Thermal expansion coefficient - The corrosion play a role in the fracture thermal expansion coefficient is the process. amount a material will change in Ethical, Environmental, Economic, dimension with a change in temperature. It Legal and Social Issues in is the amount of strain due to thermal Nanotechnology - raising awareness of expansion per degree Kelvin expressed in the benefits, the dangers, and the units of K-1. For isotropic materials " is possibilities for responsible use of the same in all directions, anisotropic advanced nanotechnology; expedite a materials have separate "s reported for thorough examination of the each direction which is different. environmental, humanitarian, economic, Thermal shock resistance - Thermal military, political, social, medical, and shock resistance is a measure of how large ethical implications of molecular a change in temperature a material can manufacturing; and to assist in the withstand without damage. Thermal shock creation and implementation of wise, resistance is very important to most high comprehensive, and balanced plans for temperature designs. Measurements of responsible worldwide use of this thermal shock resistance are highly transformative technology. subjective because if is extremely process Materials & Interfacial Chemistry - dependent. Thermal shock resistance is a This involves research in physical complicated function of heat transfer, chemistry which occurs uniquely at geometry and material properties. The interfaces found in natural systems and temperature range and the shape of the those engineered or grown to provide part play a key role in the material's ability environments with specific properties. to withstand thermal shock. Tests must be Rresearch in this field spans traditional carefully designed to mimic anticipated boundaries drawing together experts in service conditions to accurately asses the surface science, heterogeneous catalysis, thermal shock resistance of a material. electrochemistry and biophysics supported by first principles Modelling. Typical Creep resistance - Creep is slow, systems currently investigated are temperature aided, time dependent bimolecular building blocks (especially deformation. Creep is typically a factor in amino acids) adsorbed at surfaces and materials above one third of their absolute interfaces; enantioselective heterogeneous melting temperature or two thirds of their catalysis at gas-surface and liquid-surface glass transition temperature. Creep interfaces; growth and properties of ultra- resistance is an important material thin films; transition metal oxide surface property in high temperature design, but it chemistry; the interaction of water with is difficult to quantify with a single value. solid surfaces; templating of nano- Creep response is a function of many materials growth by exploitation of novel material and external variables, including self assembled 2D and 3D phases; and the

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structure and self-assembly of proteins Molecular Scale Devices - The research (e.g. fibrillar structures) addresses devices to represent, store, Materials for Energy and the process and exchange information at the Environment - exploration of materials atomic and molecular scale, as a basis for that can help produce cleaner and more fully functional ICT devices and systems. efficient sources of energy. Clean energy These devices and systems should rely on conversion, hydrogen generation and new scalable concepts and architectures storage, fuel cells, green manufacturing enabled by atomic precision and control, and biofuels/metabolics are l subjects of exploit intrinsic properties of atoms and active research in this field. molecules, realize their interconnection, Materials for Molecular Diagnostics - interface them to the mesoscopic world Diagnostics are valued based and ultimately have an impact on future on how well the information provided information processing systems. improves clinical decisions. Traditional Nano Life Sciences - investigation into diagnostics include known biology or the fields of synthetic associations of single analytes (glucose, biology, computational biology, protein cholesterol, etc.), Cheapest, most efficient structure, intermolecular membrane and convenient technology wins, dynamics and microfluidics devices for Molecular diagnostics include biological analysis. complicated biology of critical clinical Nanotechnology Research - Broad decisions can be addressed. Examples of spectrum research in the science, design Molecular Diagnosis include: Myriad and application of nanotechnology. Genetics: BRACAnalysis® which has the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells capacity to Assess inherited risk for breast - Wikipedia defines a fuel cancer, Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 cell as a device that converts the chemical by DNA sequencing , Genomic Health: energy from a fuel into electricity through Oncotype DX® and predict benefit of a chemical reaction with oxygen or chemotherapy and risk of recurrence in another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the breast cancer patients, Gene expression most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such levels of 21 genes from tumor tissue, as natural gas and alcohols like methanol Genentech: HER2/neu, prediction of are sometimes used. Fuel cells are response to to Herceptin in breast cancer different from batteries in that they require patients a constant source of fuel and oxygen to Metrology for Nanotechnology - run, but they can produce electricity Metrology is the science of continually for as long as these inputs are Measurements, and nanometrology is that supplied. part of metrology that relates to measurements at the nano-scale.

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Fig.2 Construction of a high temperature PEMFC: Bipolar plate as electrode with in-milled gas channel structure, fabricated from conductive composites (enhanced with graphite, carbon black, carbon fiber, and/or carbon nanotubes for more conductivity);[11] Porous carbon papers; reactive layer, usually on the polymer membrane applied; polymer membrane, (source: wikipedia)

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Supramolecular Nanoscale Assembly Research and Development (R&D) in Nanotechnology Theory and Modeling Africa All these innovations are leading to African governments are paying lip- obsolescence of existing technologies and service to R& D because less than 10% of the emergence of new ones demanding national budgets are devoted to R&D in additional education and research. These national annual budgets of many African include; countries. Consequently, R&D centres are CMOS technology is approaching poorly equipped. These centres are also saturation – problems in the nanometer ill-equipped with qualified and range. Several new possibilities are experienced research, thus leading to emerging such as: barren results. |This is part of what has Carbon nanotubes (CNT) dragged Africa back in science and Single-electron transistor (SET) and technology progress. quantum dots (QD)

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The present - Poorly equipped intelligence, mechatronics, robotics, Laboratories in African tertiary institutions nanotechnology, Software Engineering Most teaching laboratories in African and biotechnology. Government need to tertiary institutions are very ill-equipped. develop positive political will to train new The budgetary allocation to education crop of dedicated academics to face these sector ensures that physical laboratories new challenges of knowledge transfer to for teaching and learning science and serve the emerging knowledge economy. technology are laughing stock. Where This can only be realized however through there are experienced teachers, the adequate budgetary provision and teachers lack the enabling environment to monitoring mechanism to ensure that transfer practical skills leading also to the budgets allocated for enhancing production of half-baked graduates. This educational development and R&D are also radiates look productive output really deployed for reasons for which they because of poor training and inadequate are provided. Our schools need to change skills transfer. Employers have cried out from chalkboard to electronic boards that that the quality of graduates produced by can be used for video conferencing, virtual tertiary institution in Africa is reality laboratories, e-learning to unemployable! The paucity of good complement face-to-face interactions in training laboratories are even worse in the the class room. Unfortunately, there is case of Information Technology Training. serious resistance by government to give Most institutions offering Engineering full recognition and encouragement to e- have no foundries, nor good Robotics labs. learning as a means of educational I do not know how the miracle of diffusion and knowledge transfer. While transforming knowledge people to in the West e-learning is fused with productive workforce without good traditional learning, the technology is training labs and quality curriculum. hampered by absence of good power supply and resistance to change. These 5.0 The future obstacles would need be addressed by For Nigeria and the black race to remain government and Public Private relevant in our emerging information Partnerships. No serious government can society and new world economic order afford to treat the forthcoming singularity galvanized by information technology, with a kid-globe. This was amply there is urgent need for paradigm shift in captured by the sayings of the former our school curriculum and knowledge Unesco scribe – M’bow some two decades transfer mechanisms. First we need to ago: retool the curricular of our educational institutions from primary to tertiary to “Information Technology has opened up reflect the needs of an emerging world such tremendous vista for modern industry and commerce driven by societies that any failure to master it Information Technology. Tertiary would mean a life of permanent sub- institutions in African should pay more ordination. For information technology is attention to disciplines such as Artificial more than a form of power, it is a power

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system. The technology which it involves is not just one form of technology among This journal article is mind provoking. others but an ability to make use of other Every African citizen in leadership techniques to give or refuse access to a position needs to read and digest this whole range of scientific data and article. It is a true reflection of the future knowledge and thus to design new models and the new world economic order. of development”.[19]

References

[1] Vinge, Vernor. "The Coming Technological Singularity: How to Survive in the Post- Human Era" [2] Ray Kurzweil, (2005) The Singularity is Near, pp. 135-136. Penguin Group. [3] http://singinst.org/overview/whatisthesingularity [4] http://www.hplusmagazine.com/articles/nano/singularity-nanotech-or-ai [5] Yudkowsky, Eliezer. The Singularity: Three Major Schools [6] Sandberg, Anders. An overview of models of technological singularity [7] http://www.kurzweilai.net/max-more-and-ray-kurzweil-on-the-singularity-2

[8] Good, I. J.(1965) "Speculations Concerning the First Ultraintelligent Machine", Advances in Computers, vol. 6, 1965. [9] Good, I. J., (1965) "Speculations Concerning the First Ultraintelligent Machine", Franz L. Alt and Morris Rubinoff, ed., Advances in Computers. [10] Good, I. J. 1965 Speculations Concerning the First Ultraintelligent Machine. Pp 31- 88 in Advances in Computers, 6, F. L. Alt and M Rubinoff, eds. New York: Academic Press. [11] Ray Kurzweil, The Singularity is Near, pp. 135-136. Penguin Group, 2005. [12] Yudkowsky, Eliezer (2008), Bostrom, Nick; Cirkovic, Milan, eds., "Artificial Intelligence as a Positive and Negative Factor in Global Risk", Global Catastrophic Risks (Oxford University Press), Bibcode 2008gcr..book..303Y, ISBN 978-0-19-857050-9

[13] A M Turing, (1996) Intelligent Machinery, A Heretical Theory, 1951, reprinted Philosophia Mathematica (1996) 4(3): 256-260 doi:10.1093/philmat/4.3.256 [14] Solomonoff, R.J(1985). "The Time Scale of Artificial Intelligence: Reflections on Social Effects," Human Systems Management, Vol 5, pp. 149-153, 1985, http://world.std.com/~rjs/timesc.pdf.

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[15] Omohundro, Stephen M., (2008) "The Basic AI Drives." Artificial General Intelligence, 2008 proceedings of the First AGI Conference, eds. Pei Wang, Ben Goertzel, and Stan Franklin. Vol. 171. Amsterdam: IOS, 2008 [16] Ethical Issues in Advanced Artificial Intelligence, Nick Bostrom, in Cognitive, Emotive and Ethical Aspects of Decision Making in Humans and in Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 2, ed. I. Smit et al., Int. Institute of Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics, 2003, pp. 12-17 [17] Flatley, Joseph L.(2009) Navy report warns of robot uprising, suggests a strong moral compass, engadget.com, 18 February 2009. [18] AAAI Presidential Panel on Long-Term AI Futures 2008-2009 Study, Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, Accessed 7/26/09. [19] Osuagwu O.E., Anyanwu E. (2003) Management of Information Technology at Periods of Technological Discontinuity, OIPH, Owerri, Nigeria, p.23.

Note on Ref.11; Ray Kurzweil, The Singularity is Near, pp. 135-136. Penguin Group, 2005. The context for this statement is as follows: "we will be producing about 1026 to 1029 cps of nonbiological computation per year in the early 2030s. This is roughly equal to our estimate for the capacity of all living biological human intelligence ... This state of computation in the early 2030s will not represent the Singularity, however, because it does not yet correspond to a profound expansion of our intelligence. By the mid-2040s, however, that one thousand dollars' worth of computation will be equal to 1026 cps, so the intelligence created per year (at a total cost of about $1012) will be about one billion times more powerful than all human intelligence today. That will indeed represent a profound change, and it is for that reason that I set the date for the Singularity—representing a profound and disruptive transformation in human capability—as 2045."

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