Technological Singularity
Technological Singularity is defined as the hypothesis that the invention of artificial super-intelligence will abruptly trigger runaway technological growth, resulting in unfathomable changes to human civilization. This proposed phenomenon correlates to a future in which, technology develops an intelligence of their own. This "artificial intelligence" is a theory that the prowess of machines will far out-rival that of their human creators.
Intelligence Explosion
The theory of intelligence explosion is directly linked to technological singularity. The theory states that a super-machine will inevitably surpass the problem solving skills of all humans and in turn, will learn how to control itself. Furthermore, it may use this advantage to alter human life or even worse, hold humans "at bay". There are fears that these computers will gain access to critical assets of our world, such as nuclear power plants, electrical grids, and even weapons systems. This hypothesis is increasingly scary as human-made malware and ransom-ware has caused immense disruptions.
Malware and Ransom-ware utilized by machines
Malware is defined as software that is intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems. Ransom-ware is related, but holds the victims computer hostage, locking all of its files, until a monetary ransom is paid. The most recent instance of this was the "WannaCry" ransom-ware attacks. This was caused by opening an infected email that will lock your computers files, until a 300 dollar ransom was paid. The perpetrators of this attack are still unknown, although some are pointing the finger to North Korean Agents. Great Britain was hit really hard, as their hospitals were virtually shut down my the malware. Patients were denied imperative surgeries and the UK ministry of Health came to a stand-still. This was a human-made attack, but fears are growing of an artificially designed attack by a supercomputer. This could affect billions of people, as relatively speaking, this human made attack was enormous. If a proposed supercomputer with far superior knowledge than these hackers, utilized malware, our very lives will be at risk. If computer systems are shut down, there would be world-wide disaster, wars, famine, and many more horrible events.
Feasibility
Proponents of the theory point to Moore's Law as an explanation as to why this could be a reality in the future. This law states that computer transistor growth is doubling about every two years in a dense circuit. This sounds like a bunch of computer "mumbo-jumbo", but this basically means the capabilities of machines doubles every two years. Continuing this concept, exponential growth, with no controls or checks, could lead directly into a machine capable of surpassing our own intelligence and control. As of right now there are computer that can beat the best Jeopardy competitors in the world and compute numbers at a far faster rate than humans. Some say that, the worst will not happen, but a lesser scale singularity could occur. Computers could always have the upper hand than us, and never necessarily be "bad" or "evil", but use the advanced intelligence to their own advantage. People say that if these futuristic super computers get into "evil" people's hands, there could be some real reason to worry.
Proposed Benefits from Technological Singularity
Communications devices will be embedded in our bodies. This will in theory, allow us to communicate with others simply by thinking. Be able to modify bodily functions such as metabolism to lose weight. Be able to modify emotional functions to decrease depression and other mental illnesses. Cloning or creation of humans with "healthy" traits. Be able to eliminate debilitating diseases by using our vastly smarter supercomputers to our own advantage. E-Commerce will be immensely easier, as your fingerprint or eye-scan will be connected to your bank account.
Biggest Fear: Uniformity
Some believe that technological singularity will induce uniformity in humans. Being able to control things vastly beyond our comprehension could result in the elimination of differences. Society will opt for the "ideal" humans and genetically alter people to make this possible. The utterly disgusting theory of Eugenics could be used to eliminate, what makes humans so beautiful, differences.