Imagine a world with no shortage of water, food, medical care and energy.

The Next Big Future reports this can happen when Singularity is achieved as early as the year 2029!

Singularity refers to a point in time when artificial intelligence (computers) catch up to be as intelligent as humans, then quickly outpace us, drastically altering the course of mankind.

Last week, the Singularity Summit 2008 (“the premier dialog on the Singularity”) took place in San Jose, California. Futurists got together to share data as well as concerns. And there are plenty of concerns. From the event website:

While some regard the Singularity as a positive event and work to hasten its arrival, others view the Singularity as dangerous, undesirable, or unlikely. The most practical means for initiating the Singularity are debated, as are how, or whether, it can be influenced or avoided if dangerous.

“As scientists we should also be saying ‘What are we working on? A force for good or bad?’ And responsibly consider societal impacts,” said Peter Norvig, Google Director of Research and a Summit participant.

Summit presenter, James Miller, associate professor of economics at Smith College said the mere belief that Singularity will be achieved soon, may lead to more cryonics (freezing the body so it might me resuscitated in the future).  “As more people think that future could be a vastly different placed shaped by technological advances, they are more likely to spend what it takes to be a part of it.”

Yikes!

Find out what’s already in the works to make this mind-blowing vision a reality and weigh in on the HUGE societal impacts, like Science Cheerleader subscriber Bart did on his blog.