Singularity and Coordination Problems: Pandemic Lessons from 2020

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential for a Technological Singularity by reviewing AI safety paradigms and reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic to highlight global coordination challenges in managing existential risks.

Contribution

It provides a review of AI safety research and offers a novel perspective by linking pandemic coordination issues to the broader concept of Singularity preparedness.

Findings

Current AI paradigms lack clear evidence of approaching Singularity

Global society's coordination failures hinder effective risk management

Pandemic lessons highlight the need for improved international cooperation

Abstract

Are there any indications that a Technological Singularity may be on the horizon? In trying to answer these questions, the authors made a small introduction to the area of safety research in artificial intelligence. The authors review some of the current paradigms in the development of autonomous intelligent systems, searching for evidence that may indicate the coming of a possible Technological Singularity. Finally, the authors present a reflection using the COVID-19 pandemic, something that showed that global society biggest problem in managing existential risks is its lack of coordination skills as a global society.