Venture capitalist: We need to prepare for artificial intelligence

In physics, a singularity is a black hole, a rip in the fabric of space and time where the conventional laws of physics cease to apply. A group of scientists and technologists, many based in Silicon Valley, believe a similar phenomenon is about to take place in human society, thanks to incredibly accelerated technological change. The "singularity" they fear involves the emergence of brilliant machine intelligence, possibly within the next 30 years. When that happens, the basic laws that govern human affairs could be upended. While trekkies may see similarities to the plot of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," researchers associated with Palo Alto's Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence say the prospect of this technology-fueled transformation is no Hollywood invention – and a happy ending is by no means guaranteed.