Science fiction legend Vernor Vinge inspired the title of this podcast - and his influence extends far beyond fiction. His novella "True Names" gave readers a first taste of the metaverse, and in a 1993 talk for NASA, Vinge described a 'technological singularity' - a time when computers get so good so fast that they 'run away' from human control. It's a scenario that haunts every big company working in AI today, possibly an element in the behind-the-scenes dynamic that got Sam Altman (briefly) fired as CEO of ChatGPT creator OpenAI in November 2023. This 2019 interview - one of his last, before his passing on 21 March 2024 - explores Vinge's thinking about 'The Singularity' - and asks what happens when a goldfish tries to talk to a human...

Over a billion seconds ago, sci-fi legend Vernor Vinge conceived of a “Technological Singularity”, when our machines outthink us. Should we worry?

Be sure to read Vernor’s 1993 paper, “The Coming Technological Singularity: How to Survive in the Post-Human Era” – it’s linked here.

A rerun of an earlier episode of The Next Billion Seconds. 

For more information about this podcast and The Next Billion Seconds, please visit https://nextbillionseconds.com. The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce is produced by Ampel - https://ampel.com.au. 

Chief Audio Officer: Josh Butt
Edited by: Isabel Vanhakartano
Audio Mixed by: Carter Quinn

Science fiction legend Vernor Vinge inspired the title of this podcast - and his influence extends far beyond fiction. His novella "True Names" gave readers a first taste of the metaverse, and in a 1993 talk for NASA, Vinge described a 'technological singularity' - a time when computers get so good so fast that they 'run away' from human control. It's a scenario that haunts every big company working in AI today, possibly an element in the behind-the-scenes dynamic that got Sam Altman (briefly) fired as CEO of ChatGPT creator OpenAI in November 2023. This 2019 interview - one of his last, before his passing on 21 March 2024 - explores Vinge's thinking about 'The Singularity' - and asks what happens when a goldfish tries to talk to a human... Over a billion seconds ago, sci-fi legend Vernor Vinge conceived of a “Technological Singularity”, when our machines outthink us. Should we worry?
Be sure to read Vernor’s 1993 paper, “The Coming Technological Singularity: How to Survive in the Post-Human Era” – <a href="https://edoras.sdsu.edu/~vinge/misc/singularity.html" aria-label="it's linked here (opens in a new tab)">it’s linked here</a>.
A rerun of an earlier episode of The Next Billion Seconds. 
For more information about this podcast and The Next Billion Seconds, please visit<a href="https://nextbillionseconds.com"> https://nextbillionseconds.com.</a> The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce is produced by Ampel -<a href="https://ampel.com.au"> https://ampel.com.au</a>. 
Chief Audio Officer: Josh Butt Edited by: Isabel Vanhakartano Audio Mixed by: Carter Quinn

Hosted by award-winning podcast creator, journalist & futurist Mark Pesce, The Next Billion Seconds is everything you need to know about the future — so you can make the best decisions today. The rate of change we are experiencing is the fastest humanity has ever seen. Stay informed as Mark simplifies the complex technological and societal changes we face. How we will work, connect, use money, drive, eat is all changing at a rapid pace. For more information on The Next Billion seconds with Mark Pesce, please check out https://nextbillionseconds.com 

For more information about this podcast and The Next Billion Seconds, please visit https://nextbillionseconds.com. The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce is produced by Ampel - https://ampel.com.au. 

Chief Audio Officer: Josh Butt
Edited by: Isabel Vanhakartano
Mixed by Carter Quinn

Hosted by award-winning podcast creator, journalist &amp; futurist Mark Pesce, The Next Billion Seconds is everything you need to know about the future — so you can make the best decisions today. The rate of change we are experiencing is the fastest humanity has ever seen. Stay informed as Mark simplifies the complex technological and societal changes we face. How we will work, connect, use money, drive, eat is all changing at a rapid pace. For more information on The Next Billion seconds with Mark Pesce, please check out <a href="https://nextbillionseconds.com">https://nextbillionseconds.com </a><a href="https://ampel.com.au"></a>
For more information about this podcast and The Next Billion Seconds, please visit<a href="https://nextbillionseconds.com"> https://nextbillionseconds.com.</a> The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce is produced by Ampel -<a href="https://ampel.com.au"> https://ampel.com.au</a>. 
Chief Audio Officer: Josh Butt Edited by: Isabel Vanhakartano Mixed by Carter Quinn

The future of tech:  the next billion seconds are the most important in human history as technology transforms the way we live and work.  The rate of change we will experience will be the fastest humanity has ever seen....

Mark Pesce - The Next Billion Seconds

Hosted by award winning podcast creator, journalist & futurist Mark Pesce, The Next Billion Seconds is everything you need to know about the future — so you can make the best decisions today. The rate of change we are experiencing is the fastest humanity has ever seen. Stay informed as Mark simplifies the complex technological and societal changes we face. How we will work, connect, use money, drive, eat is all changing at a rapid pace. For more information on The Next Billion seconds with Mark Pesce, visit https://nextbillionseconds.com

The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce is produced by Ampel - https://ampel.com.au. 

Chief Audio Officer: Josh Butt
Edited by: Isabel Vanhakartano
Mixed by Carter Quinn

Hosted by award winning podcast creator, journalist &amp; futurist Mark Pesce, The Next Billion Seconds is everything you need to know about the future — so you can make the best decisions today. The rate of change we are experiencing is the fastest humanity has ever seen. Stay informed as Mark simplifies the complex technological and societal changes we face. How we will work, connect, use money, drive, eat is all changing at a rapid pace. For more information on The Next Billion seconds with Mark Pesce, visit <a href="https://nextbillionseconds.com">https://nextbillionseconds.com</a><a href="https://ampel.com.au"></a>
The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce is produced by Ampel -<a href="https://ampel.com.au"> https://ampel.com.au</a>. 
Chief Audio Officer: Josh Butt Edited by: Isabel Vanhakartano Mixed by Carter Quinn

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