This volume contains a selection of authoritative essays exploring thecentral questions raised by the conjectured technological singularity.In informed yet jargon-free contributions written by active researchscientists, philosophers and sociologists, it goes beyond philosophicaldiscussion to provide a detailed account of the risks that the singularityposes to human society and, perhaps most usefully, the possible actionsthat society and technologists can take to manage the journey to anysingularity in a way that ensures a positive rather than a negativeimpact on society. The discussions provide perspectives that cover technological,political and business issues. The aim is to bring clarity and rigorto the debate in a way that will inform and stimulate both experts andinterested general readers. 8 Illustrations, color; 3 Illustrations, black and white; XII, 261 p. 11 illus., 8 illus. in color.