Singularity Tasks

Feel free to add specific tasks or tasks-in-general. (Descriptions are optional.) Please consider including tasks that may have moderate or great impact on Singularity Advocacy, analysis, critique, defense, research, strategy, development, etc. Special thanks to Michael Anissimov for writing many of the task descriptions, and to everyone who adds a task. -- Anand

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Shouldn't we subdivide this list? It's getting rather long. I'd recommend splitting this into coding and non-coding tasks, at the least. -- Flarelocke

Specific Tasks

• Advocate, support, accelerate, and initiate research and development in Singularity-relevant areas.

Examples: Advanced information technology (Semantic Web, Earthweb, collaborative information filtering); specialized AI development; AI-relevant Cognitive Science experiments and studies; neurotechnology; improvements to knowledge and understanding of cog sci and comp sci by hardware and software developments; analyses of catastrophic and Existential Risks; analyses of ethical, political, security, and strategy issues of advanced technology; and analyses of strong self-improving processes.

• Advocate and accelerate a Human Cognome Project.

Ideas: Humanitarian, personal, and monetary benefits; creating the neurotechnology industry; focus on specifics and points of leverage; areas of advancement and specific advancements; correlation of increasing good with increasing knowledge and understanding of Cognitive Science; need for the right proposals to Congress from the right people; need for advocacy from the right people (cog scientists, comp scientists, technologists, politicians, journalists et al.); benefits of multi-disciplinary support; relation of the law of accelerating returns; benefits of large-scale, focused, government-support; orders of magnitude difference between sequencing nucleotides in human DNA and mapping the regions, maps, pathways, and columns of the human brain's two hemispheres; ways of advocacy (Casting-a-Wide-Net emails); gaining interest of quality public relation professionals.

• Attend Singularity-related conferences, gatherings et al.

Accelerating Change Conference (7/17-7/18)

Dragoncon (8/29-9/1) [Dragoncon? Um, why? I'd say Worldcon, not Dragoncon. -- Eliezer Yudkowsky.]

Extro 6 (Not yet online)

Foresight Senior Associate Gathering (5/2-5/4)

Ideas at the Powerhouse (8/14-8/17)

NBIC Convergence 2003 (2/5-2/7)

Sixth Alcor Conference on Extreme Life Extension (Not yet online)

• Contribute to the Singularity Questions and Answers Repository.

Mitchell Howe is presently using his weblog to develop a “Singularity Questions and Answers” webpage. Feel free to email your Q&A suggestions to mhowe@empowermentacademy.org.

• Create or contribute to, or both, a Friendly AI Arguments Repository.

A repository of fulltext and summary versions of arguments regarding Friendliness theory and the Cognitive Science of ethical decision making would be of value to AI programmers and laypeople. Michael Anissimov is presently working on this task. Please email comments, suggestions, or proposals, to altima@yifan.net.

• Create or contribute to, or both, a Singularity Glossary.

SL4 Lexicon

• Contribute to the Singularity Activist Resources List.

See Singularity Activist Resources. Please contribute quality items only. Contributions may include articles, books, online books, introductions, papers, FAQs, interviews, magazines, journals, multimedia, newsletters et al.

• Contribute to the Specialized AI Resources List.

See Artificial Specialized Intelligence Resources. This is a list of computing systems that achieve Human-Similar or human-surpassing results within specific domains (e.g., algorithmic performance, bit storage, communications, manufacturing, navigation). Many are specific examples from within a limited domain (e.g., proving one mathematical theorem within the domain of theorem proving). Please include one or more website references for the computing system example.

• Create or contribute to, or both, a list of Singularity-related problems that should be solved.

• Create or contribute to, or both, a list of Singularity-related research and development that should occur.

• Create or contribute to, or both, an SIAI Employee Reading List.

• Create or maintain, or both, a depository of information on R&D that may achieve advances to human intelligence.

Construct an educational/historical “AI Boneyard” of runnable code. This would show various algorithmic techniques, milestone programs, and a variety of approaches. It would show what worked, what didn't, and why, in a hands-on, look at the source code, kind of way. It would include introductions, detailed explanations, website links, and copies of the original programs migrated to a popular platforms such as Linux and Windows. This “AI Boneyard” might also include more current and more immediately useful programs; code and techniques that could be drawn upon in constructing a seed AI. The purpose of such a repository would be to provide a learning/lookup resource for code-cutting AI programmers who want to bring themselves up-to-speed quickly, without having the burden of searching for scattered citations and websites.

• Create or collaborate on, or both, a Singularity Wish List.

For example: R&D that you wish to see in cog sci, comp sci, info tech et al.

A recent post to the SL4 list that lists a number of tools that at least one AGI developer would like to see. the email

• Create Singularity graphics for organizations, websites, T-shirts, coffee mugs, documents, presentations et al.

Symbolizing the ideas behind the Singularity is difficult to do graphically, though ambitious graphic designers may have ideas for aesthetic logos/diagrams/graphs/etc. that are related to singularitarian or transhumanist concepts. Some members of the Singularity Advocacy community are good at generating site content, though poor with graphic/web design, or vice versa, thus the former can work with the latter for mutual benefit.

• Contribute to or make suggestions for, or both, the SIAI Quick Intro section.

Examples: “Cognitive Science,” “Critiques of AI,” “The Benefits of a Safe Singularity,” “Effective Altruism.”

• Create a high-quality Singularity-related website.

Strong web presence, introductory and advanced literature, multimedia, and discussion mediums: These are examples of benefits that result from developing and publishing a Singularity-related website. Unfortunately, certain website hosts reduce site credibility regardless of content, thus acquiring a domain name and non-invasive website host is encouraged. (eg. Accelerating Future)

• Create a local reading group oriented to Singularity-related areas.

Reading groups are ideal for exchanging literature and ideas, and often serve as invigorating debate forums. More low-key than a study group, a local reading group allows you to become acquainted with similar thinkers and develop your ideas in a collaborative intellectual environment. A reading group usually requires one or two prominent organizers to coordinate dates, set plans, and guide discussion. (Reference: John Smart’s LA Futurists.)

• Create a local study group oriented to Singularity-related areas.

• Create or suggest the creation, or both, of a university-level course on Singularity-related areas.

Reference: Yale University’s fall 2002 course, “The Ethics and Policy of New Technologies.”

• Develop and compile resources for Singularity activists.

Extropy Institute Resource Directory

Singularity: Papers

Singularity: Websites

Singularity: Miscellaneous

Singularity Introductions (Mitchell Howe)

Singularitarian Reading

PtS/plan.html The Plan to Singularity (Eliezer Yudkowsky)

PtS/vision/memes.html PtS: 1: Vision: 1.3: Spreading the Right Memes

PtS/vision/opposition.html PtS: 1: Vision: 1.5: Dealing with Opposition

PtS/vision/base.html PtS: 1: Vision: 1.6: Protecting the IT Industry

PtS/strategy/institute/funding.html PtS: 3: Strategy: 3.2: The Singularity Institute: 3.2.3: Funding, Grants, and Donations

PtS/strategy/institute/volunteers.html PtS: 3: Strategy: 3.2: The Singularity Institute: 3.2.7: Volunteers: Good or Bad?

PtS/strategy/memetics/contents.html PtS: 3: Strategy: 3.3: Memetics Strategy

PtS/strategy/research/support.html PtS: 3: Strategy: 3.4: Research Strategy: 3.4.2: Supporting Research

• Develop and distribute documents, flyers, leaflets, letters et al. for friends, family, acquaintances, associates, websites, mailing lists, newsgroups, academic departments, college courses, companies, individual and group meetings, conventions, conferences, symposiums, gatherings, lectures et al.

Explaining the main concepts and reasoning behind Singularity-directed work, in a concise and memetically charged manner, is an essential task for the Singularity Advocacy community. Regardless of the location, many will investigate the Singularity concept in more detail if it is brought to their attention.

• Find, research, and collect information on R&D that may achieve advances to human intelligence.

• Host, organize, or support the creation of a Singularity-related conference (e.g., Accelerating Change Conference).

• Host, organize, or support the creation of a Singularity-related gathering (e.g., Foresight Senior Associate Gathering).

• Perform substantial webwork for the Singularity community.

Are you a Webmaster/programmer with a substantial number of free hours per week? The Singularity Institute has some ideas about functions we can serve for the Singularity Analysis / advocacy community that would require substantial webwork.

• Provide a Singularity-related monthly writing competition, offering prizes.

• Provide interviews with transhumanist- and Singularity-related individuals and groups by email, Internet relay chat, in-person, or phone.

Sites that (may) host interview material: Nanomagazine.com, Changesurfer Radio, Transhumanity, Extropy, SCIFI.com, Kurzweil AI.net, Reason Online, Generation5, Nanotechnology Now, AI Depot, Singularity Institute, Singularity Awareness Institute, Slashdot.org, Wired.com, AboutAI.net, Edge.org.

• Provide online multimedia features on transhumanist- and Singularity-related topics.

Since people are more acquainted with acquiring new ideas by sight and sound than text, Singularity volunteers should consider the creation of online multimedia material that pertains to transhumanist- or Singularity-related topics. This will require a digital camera, moderate filming ability, and creative, informative material to film.

• Provide multimedia (audio or video, or both) coverage at transhumanist- and Singularity-related conferences, symposiums, debates, lectures, discussions, meetings et al.

Singularity gatherings, albeit presently rare, are an excellent opportunity for Singularity advocates to open a window for others into the interesting and important world of transhumanism and Singularity activism. Although some individuals may be uncomfortable on camera, others may be enthusiastic to preserve their discussion/lecture/debate. (Be sure to ask for permission to film.)

• Research and locate potential funding sources (e.g., family, friends, acquaintances, associates, corporations, and foundations) for Singularity work.

Most have easy or moderate access to large funding sources. This is in relation to the growth of interconnectivity, that is, the reduction in degrees of separation from each other. (See Mark Buchanan’s Nexus: Small Worlds and the Groundbreaking Science of Networks.) One method for growing the Singularity movement is by researching, locating, and contacting those unfamiliar—most of the population—or moderately familiar with Singularity work. The immediate purpose is two-fold: the creation of new resources for the Singularity movement, and the experience of explaining and convincing others of the importance of Singularity work.

• Request academics, technologists, writers et al. to review the Singularity Institute’s work, and to consider writing a testimonial of any length regarding it.

Providing academics, technologists, writers et al. the opportunity to review and comment on the Singularity Institute’s work is not only a good way to spread awareness, but also allows everyone to gain a better understanding of how people from different philosophical and occupational sectors react to the Singularity concept.

• Setup and participate in online debates, focused discussion, etc.

Sites that (may) host debate material: Changesurfer Radio, Transhumanity, Extropy, SIAI, SCIFI.com, AboutAI.net, Wired.com, bjklein.com, Kurzweil AI.net, Reason Online, Generation5, Foresight Institute, Singularity Institute, Singularity Awareness Institute, Nanodot.org, and Nanotechnology Now.

• Write first-level, second-level, or third-level Singularity-related documents for online and offline publishing.

• Write transcripts for transhumanist- and Singularity-related conferences, symposiums, debates, lectures, discussions, meetings et al.

• Write one or more grant proposals.

Grants are a major source of funding for anyone involved in scientific work. Governmental (e.g., DARPA) and nongovernmental groups are increasingly interested in funding cutting-edge technology. The opportunity is ripe for Singularity-focused organizations to acquire support for Singularity-influencing and Singularity-directing research and development.

• Write a daily or weekly weblog on Singularity-related topics.

Singularitarian Blogs

• Write one or more “Suggestions-on-How-to” documents.

Examples: Suggestions on how to fundraise, write press kits, write grants, publicly speak, organize a local reading group, organize a local study group, provide online multimedia features, write documents, organize a conference, organize a meeting, organize a gathering, write a weblog, create flyers, sell items, do public relations et al.

• Write for the SIAI newsletter.

• Write an SL4 FAQ.

• Write about the qualitative difference of transhumaness.

Most arguments surrounding the Singularity concept distills down to one critical issue: the different mental pictures individuals create while considering the idea of a “transhuman” or “smarter-than-human intelligence.” Emphasizing why we can and should influence the developmental course of intelligent technology, and why we project its impact to be drastic, sudden, and positive, should be a pursuit of Singularity advocates.

• Write refutations to AI objections (the Chinese Room, complexity, consciousness, Gödel’s Theorem).

Popular philosophy and culture have only recently begun to consider the prospect of Artificial Intelligence, a concept that contradicts many commonly held Romantic and traditional notions regarding life and mind. Critics attempt to discredit AI work in terms of plausibility, credibility, and temporal proximity. It is our duty as Singularity advocates to counter these arguments with intelligent, rational rebuttals. Since maximizing popular and academic acceptance of AI may be a prerequisite for a safe Singularity and pre-Singularity period, Singularity advocates may endeavor to construct well-written, non-condescending refutations to AI objections, and ideally post them online.

• Write refutations to Friendly AI objections.

Examples: All-minds-want-to-survive, hierarchy-instability, inevitability-of-error, moral relativism, selfishness, self-serving goals, subgoals-overthrow-supergoals, supergoal-instability, undue influence, wireheading.

• Write refutations to seed AI objections (all-seed-AI-is-dangerous, circular definition, complexity).

Many react with skepticism or outright disregard at the possibility of a mind’s self-improvement trajectory achieving superintelligence within one or two decades. These views can be refuted with arguments concerning strong self-improvement (e.g., General Intelligence recursively self-improving General Intelligence) in relation to weak self-improvement (e.g., growth in prefrontal cortex size by sexual selection); the comparative speed of biological and nonbiological mediums (power and speed of transistors relative to power and speed of neurons); already-existing technology that may be used to initiate positive feedback in self-improvement; the difference-in-kind between computer programs, humans, and Minds-In-General et al.

• Write responses to Singularity objections.

Singularity objections come from a wide range of angles and premises. It requires Singularity advocates with broad knowledge of the reasoning behind the Singularity to refute these objections. Singularity objections and refutations commonly center on the ideas of Accelerating Change, the discontinuous impact of transhuman intelligence, software complexity issues, game theory of transhuman entities et al. Well-written refutations to Singularity objections are a powerful way of utilizing Singularity criticisms for a net positive memetic effect.

• Write responses to Singularitarianism (Singularity activism) objections.

Even when faced with the extreme importance of the Singularity, apathy often bends human minds into a state of inaction, or even criticism of those who attempt to influence the Singularity’s outcome. Advocates need to let them (and others) know the moral, social, and philosophical reasons for influencing future’s course.

Tasks-in-General

• Contribute to the Singularity Quote List.

See Singularity Quotes. The comments section of the Singularity Institute’s website will include a section on Singularity-relevant quotes, which will be compiled from Singularity Quotes.

• Give talks at conferences, symposiums et al. oriented to Singularity-related areas.

Reaching associated communities verbally has the potential to give a lot of inertia to our cause by creating first-hand excitement amongst the audience, and encouraging them to discuss and think about Singularity-related issues. The popular futurist Ray Kurzweil has done a lot for spreading public awareness of the Singularity by this method.

• Get in touch with potential SIAI donors; attempt to gain their interest in donating; ask if they'd email SIAI or call an SIAI affiliate, or receive an email or call from an SIAI affiliate.

Selective solicitation and information distribution is an important way that activists can assist the Singularity Institute. Thanks to the economical dynamics of the past decade, considerable portions of those with substantial resources are in tune with the pace of Accelerating Change and are aware of technology’s massive potential to improve everyone’s quality of life.

• Grow the Singularity movement by finding new supporters.

The all-purpose memetic imperative. Talking to friends and family, creating websites, participating in Internet forums or mailing lists, sending out or publishing offline Singularity literature, and so on, are all ways to grow the Singularity movement.

• Increase total number of hits at Singularity-aware sites via memetics work in fora, mailing lists, IRC channels, BBS-type boards, etc.

• Link transhumanist- and Singularity-related websites to increase total number of hits.

Many of today’s Singularity advocates discovered the concept of the Singularity through casual Internet surfing. To ensure that the Singularity concept maintains a growing Internet presence, Singularity advocates must make an effort to link their sites to one another and participate in webring or link exchange programs with friends and supporters.

• Locate exceptional programmers for the Singularity Institute.

Even though SIAI doesn’t have enough funding to begin the Friendly AI project, we can begin putting the project team together by locating individuals who are willing to commit to the “coolest and most important project ever in the history of time.” Once enough funding is available, they’ll be employed on a full-time basis.

• Locate an Executive Director for the Singularity Institute.

SIAI has enough saved and enough regular funding to hire a near-perfect Executive Director willing to accept a small salary. Candidates should have prior nonprofit management and fundraising or prior business experience, or both; strong speaking and writing ability; independent drive; understanding of Singularity issues; ability to work with and organize Singularity volunteers; and enough dedication to the importance and urgency of SIAI's mission to accept a low salary (until funding increases). If you locate someone who meets most of the above requirements, let them know that SIAI doesn't have enough funding for a non-ideal candidate (it would be a serious gamble with present funding), but that increased funding will reduce the gamble of hiring an Executive Director, and thus requirements will become more reasonable. (As of January, 2003, SIAI’s outside funding is ~$45,000 (I believe).)

• Make and take opportunity for well-leveraged action (i.e., action with benefit disproportionate to the effort required for said action).

• Share potential funding sources (e.g., family, friends, acquaintances, associates, corporations, and foundations) for Singularity work.

Presently, the largest obstacle between SIAI and the initiation of the seed AI project is funding. If anyone you know would ever donate money to any altruistic effort, pointing them in the direction of the Singularity Institute is a powerful way to ensure that they receive the greatest possible return on any amount of investment.

• Support and develop the extropian, transhumanist, and singularitarian community.

• Support and develop transhumanist- and Singularity-related organizations.

• Speak with cognitive scientists, programmers, writers, technologists et al. about working in, and helping to make advancements in, Singularity-directing and Singularity-influencing areas.

• Spread Singularity-related ideas at various online and offline futurist/technology fora.