Thinque Futurist Blog by Anders Sorman-Nilsson

What Is The Concept Of Singularity? - A Futurist Speaker's Perspective

Written by anders@thinque.com.au | November 19, 2015

Technology grows in an exponential, rather than a linear pattern, as shown by the popularised law of technology - Moore's law. The law states that computing power doubles every 18 to 24 months. During the past 50 years we have experienced astonishing technological advances while we have also seen a significant decrease in relative costs and If we look back at the last 5 and 10 years we can see that this exponential change have digitally disrupted many industries.

The technological advancements combined with the increasing growth of computing power will lead to singularity. But what is singularity and what does it mean for businesses?

According to TIME Magazine singularity is when Machine power will surpass brainpower equivalent to that all of human brains combined. They predict that Singularity will occur in 2045 and that humans by that time will merge with machines and become super-intelligent cyborgs. Ray Kurzweil, a famous Futurist that often speaks about this subject believe that human beings by 2045 will end up being "functionally immortal". He argues that we will be able to transfer our minds into computers or robots and also be able to slow down the process of ageing.

As we get closer to singularity we will see an increasing convergence of the analogue and digital world.

As we get closer to singularity we will see an increasing convergence of the analogue and digital world. This will enable brands to connect with consumers in new and innovative ways, but it will also put pressure on brands to deliver a seamless experience that is differentiated and memorable.

In order to keep up with today's exponential change we need to start thinking exponentially.

In order to keep up with today's exponential change we need to start thinking exponentially. The exponential force is disruptive and increasing the speed of change for old business models, but at the same it's possbile for organisations to adapt and innovate. Companies and business leaders need to do the following three things in order to succeed in today's digital economy:

  • Accurately spot the oncoming trends

  • Get a feel for the underlying currents driving disruption

  • Position themselves in a way that gives them an advantage in the tidal shift

As a Futurist Speaker at Thinque I believe that the three steps above are essential if you want to tranform yourself from a digital follower to a digital leader. 

Do you want your brand to thrive in today's digital landscape? Our Brand Workbook will help you with great models and insightful questions to get you thinking about creating a more impactful future brand. Download it now!