Technological singularity is near: Are we ready for AI?

Just a few years ago, the idea of artificial intelligence surpassing humans was the stuff of cinema. Today, experts like Sam Altman and Ray Kurzweil claim we could reach that point— the technological singularity —before 2030. Systems like ChatGPT , which already boost the productivity of millions, are setting a pace that many consider irreversible.

The term “singularity” was popularized by scientist Vernor Vinge , and describes the moment when AI becomes so advanced that it escapes human understanding and control. It’s not just a technological improvement: it’s a paradigm shift . According to Forbes , it could generate massive solutions in medicine and energy, but also lead to social and ethical crises if not managed carefully.

Translated developed a metric known as Time To Edit (TTE) , which calculates how long it takes a human to correct AI translations. This time has dropped from 3.5 seconds per word to 2 seconds in a decade. At this rate, systems will match or surpass humans on complex cognitive tasks by 2030 .

Marco Trombetti, CEO of Translated, sums it up this way: “You don't notice the change every day. But looking back, the transformation is clear.”

1. Relinquishing agency: We're already handing over decisions to virtual assistants. 2. Emergent cognition: AI is beginning to take initiative. 3. Exponential cognitive speed: AGI, smarter than any human, is arriving. 4. The threshold: Humans are no longer the most intelligent species on the planet.

The singularity could generate an overabundance of resources , multiply productivity, and solve global challenges. But it could also accentuate inequalities , eliminate traditional jobs, and transform social ties. The key will be how access to this new form of intelligence is regulated and distributed.

Sam Altman puts it clearly: “A tiny misalignment multiplied by millions can cause massive damage.” If current algorithms already affect our attention and emotions, what could happen with systems smarter than us? The ethics of AI become as important as its architecture.

The path to singularity is neither inevitable nor automatic. It depends on human decisions , legal frameworks, and a global conversation . Preparing for it involves more than developing technology: it involves asking what it means to be human in a world where intelligence is no longer a biological monopoly.