Technology explosion : where will it end?

Recently glancing through technical reports and journals I have come across the ongoing discussions regarding “Technology Forecasting”. I have felt fascinated towards this subject.

Evolution of any technology with time in history is not linear, but depends on some mathematical formulations. An extrapolation of graphs on this subject brings out exciting possibilities.

I feel astonished considering the list of general items within my own lifespan which are on the verge of becoming obsolete. The store room in house has got filled up with electronic items like record player, bulky telephone sets, desk tops etc. which have been retired prematurely by more refined and powerful new generation appliances. The same can also be said about match box, telegram, inland letters, table fan and radio. The speed at which a newly invented item becomes obsolete is amazing.

Is there any possibility regarding “The end” of this explosion? Unfortunately, there is. Think of the time when science traversing its progress trajectory will reach a stage, beyond which it will not be possible to imagine any further results by humanity. If machines in their development process exceed the human intelligence a bit, then from that stage onward they would be able to improve their own versions to an extent that would be unseen and unheard by their creators. In other words when machines thinking better than men could themselves develop new improved machines, then men would not be required for this purpose. The invention of such a “Super intelligent” machine will be the last invention in the series to be undertaken by man. As an amateur artificial intelligence professional, I believe that a machine with such extra-ordinary capacity may come into existence by 2050.

How will be our life post this event? Till now, such fears that “They” will enslave us or destroy us seem remote. We can remain hopeful that ultimately “They” would get bored of limitations of earth and then move on towards some other unknown destination, so that we can embark on a new journey.