Intel CTO predicts singularity by 2050

If Intel's CTO is correct, then man and machine could merge by the year 2050. Justin Rattner said that Intel's research labs are looking at human-machine interfaces and predicts that promising changes could come sooner than expected. For example, did you know that Intel is working on small, shape-shifting robots called "catoms" -- tiny inside the pocket, a million-strong team of micro-robots could one day reassemble into an earpiece, keyboard or say, full-torso heat shield that withstands the frictions of hyperspace (ok, we made that last bit up). During his keynote, Rattner said, "There is speculation that we may be approaching an inflection point where the rate of technology advancements is accelerating at an exponential rate, and machines could even overtake humans in their ability to reason, in the not so distant future." A date he pegs at 2050, not December 21st, 2012 as some would say. But with wireless power and 3-dimensional transistors on the horizon, well, who are we to argue? Besides, Intel has a pretty good record when it comes to predicting advances in technology, eh Gordie?

[Ryan Trevisol @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:17AM]

Well if that's true, maybe the Mayan Apocalypse will set those evi--err . . . benevolent robot overlords back a bit.

[LondonConsultant @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:49AM]

If machines overtake humans in their ability to reason, then maybe they'll work out a way to stop Vista thrashing my hard disk...

[CraigJ @ Aug 22nd 2008 1:39PM]

That's easy. Downgrade to XP. Problem solved.

[gad get @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:22AM]

Love the pic! :D

[konshuss @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:03AM]

at the rate humanity seems to be going, we probably will be overtaken by mac classics... all of them smiling.

[gad get @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:32AM]

How long does Mr. Futurist predict before humanoid robots consistently whip our sorry little butts in every Olympic event?

[PuppyDog @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:59AM]

Probably a few decades after sex bots are whipping our butts.

[Hellios @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:33AM]

I for one welcome our new machine overlords.

[Stiv @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:01AM]

Fail.

[j_g_puff @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:01AM]

Don't worry, the local govenor would never allow Silicon Valley companies to develop such technology.

[silverblackvoid @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:32AM]

robotic overlord: "resistance is futile, pathetic human"
silverblackvoid; (quickly searches the pockets)...grins
robotic overlord: ???
silverblackvoid: ur ass is pwned!

[216 @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:40AM]

So Intel is working on Skynet? Did they not watch Terminator? WHYYYYY

[BirdofPrey @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:59AM]

Not true.

The UK has ALREADY LAUNCHED Skynet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skynet_(satellites)


At least we now have a date for when the attack comes.
Start stocking up for the coming conflict and training your children in guerilla warfare.

[Down @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:53AM]

I guess this would be one way to solve the obesity epidemic, we'll just turn into bulky boxes of machinery.

[Ahmed Alzayani @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:53AM]

TIC>>>>>>>>>>>TOC>>>>>>>>>>TIC>>>>>>>>>>>TOC>>>>>>>>>TIC>>>>>>>>>>>TOC>>>>>>>>TIC>>>>>>>TOC>>>>>>TIC>>>>>TOC>>>>TIC>>>TOC>>TIC>!

[Adam @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:54AM]

real life Transformers! Awesome!

[dukemang @ Aug 22nd 2008 12:59PM]

Just remember, half the Transformers were evil.

[bondsbw @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:54AM]

I've seen this movie... everything seems pretty cool, but then they release 2 sequels that suck.

[Wayne @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:04AM]

The series is pretty good though...

[eiki @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:37AM]

8.4/10 is not sucky

[silverblackvoid @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:27AM]

well atleast i'll have my intel bots in my pocket when the robotic overlords do take over. my old ass would be safe:)

[Matt @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:17AM]

STFU

[xValentine @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:30AM]

Jeezz.. Predictions..

I can predict that the world will end by 2049, but it won't happen since someone already predicted that it will end by 2020.

[Boarderwoot @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:38AM]

"...the rate of technology advancements is accelerating at an exponential rate, and machines could even overtake humans in their ability to reason, in the not so distant future." In 1908 the model T got 15 miles to the gallon. 100 years later we're driving cars that get an average of 25 mpg. With all this "advancement in technology" you'd think we could be doing better than this....

[Mental Issues @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:30AM]

Yeah, but today's cars are several times faster and exponentially safer. They release fewer harmful emissions and can carry more people with more comfort. You also have to take into account that auto companies have only recently begun to implement sophisticated electronics into their products.

On a side note, Ray Kurzweil predicts the singularity will occur five years earlier. I say we start taking bets.

[Wwhat @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:56AM]

I've played games with bots that had hairpulling AI that made me scream in annoyance, only to go out to get some shopping and noticing the people on the street were 25% dumber than that AI.
If you take the decline of intelligence into the equation I predict robot to be smarter than humans somewhere around 2004...

[Gus Jenkins @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:42AM]

I think 12/21/2012 sounds about right.

My mortgage is paid off in November 2012.

[Dr Zoidberg @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:12AM]

That'd be bad luck, just as your putting the key in the front door of the house that is finally yours - it gets blown up by a psychotic robot.

[Wwhat @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:57AM]

Insurance-bot to the rescue!!

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:47AM]

Vinge's Singularity doesn't necessarily mean that man and machine will merge.

The issue facing AI is a complete lack of sentience and sapience. AI can calculate quickly, and it learns somewhat, but it's can't learn as well as humans do, nor does it ever become "wise," which would be a major portion of the Singularity.

People have been predicting the Singularity would be here in a decade or two ever since Vinge made the original prediction. The fact of the matter is that it will take major breakthroughs in AI for that to occur... and we really haven't gone past the AI experiments of 40 years ago. How is the Singularity supposed to come out of that?

[brian @ Aug 22nd 2008 1:35PM]

You need to do some more reading on singularity apparently.

[loosely_coupled @ Aug 24th 2008 3:26AM]

I think Rattner has just been reading to many Kurzweil books... :)

[afriquedeluxe @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:59AM]

this is exciting and scary at the same time. As we get closer to full integration with computers, think about how dangerous viruses could then be.....

[Blue @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:40AM]

I shudder to think of the ramifications of having viruses that spread between living organisms. There could be viruses that cause you to break out in a rash, or even disable your immune system! Truly a terrifying future.

[Maestro @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:06AM]

What isn't intel working on.

[dextro @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:18AM]

Here comes Hal!

[Dr Zoidberg @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:21AM]

Why the heck is zune guy in that picture?

[julz @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:34AM]

lol zoiberg

[jerbils @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:57AM]

This... is not a good thing! I'm a gigantic nerd and all, but even I think we are starting to integrate technology to closely into our lives. We're getting closer and closer to living in the world of WALL-E.

[MaHe @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:31AM]

Obviously, most of you don't know what singularity means. It simply means a stage in the AI development when computers are smart enough to make themselves even smarter, at exponential speeds. With this our technology could take a huge leap for hundreds even thousands of years in the future. Basicly, singularity is just a form of artificial evolution that accelerates as it advances.

Question is, will it really ever happen?

[dukemang @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:57AM]

I think the question is what will Man's place be after it happens? I for one DON'T welcome any overlord wannabes.

[Wwhat @ Aug 22nd 2008 12:02PM]

Another question: is there a limit to what intelligence can do?
I expect the answer is yes in capital letters, especially since it needs input, reliable input, and much of that requires lengthy complex costly experimentation.

[Forrest @ Aug 22nd 2008 12:23PM]

There are TONS of social implications related to the singularity. It could be an incredibly beneficial turning point in human history, or it could lead to a very short downfall.

What's scary isn't overlords, heh. You want scary? Try self-replicating carbon-based nanobots that use their surroundings to reproduce. If they began to replicate out of control, they could consume the entire carbon content of the biosphere in NINETY FUCKING MINUTES.

http://www.kurzweilai.net/meme/frame.html?main=/articles/art0653.html

[brickwood @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:10AM]

..you can say fuck?

[Engadgetier @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:44AM]

i wont XD

[Wwhat @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:50AM]

Let's just hope all that future technology doesn't need drivers, because that would certainly doom the whole thing.

[LondonConsultant @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:55AM]

You're gonna need a bigger processor.

[JMMGoalster @ Aug 22nd 2008 12:47PM]

Great book....but I agree, we are coming a little too close to that book. I don't want to see a swarm coming at me...

[john @ Aug 22nd 2008 1:32PM]

too bad the world ends on dec 12 2012...

[sr @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:36PM]

Not until machines can express a sense of judgment can we put them in positions where they could replace us. Then we'd all have to worry about them taking over. Right now, we control them, and WE can keep it that way.