Janet Adams, COO of SingularityNET, is spearheading the creation of ethical, decentralized Artificial General Intelligence. Inspired by a blend of science fiction and real-world challenges, she's shaping AGI's future with compassion at its core.
A Journey Forged in Inspiration and Grit
Imagine growing up surrounded by ancient history, lush landscapes, and the echoes of medieval castles in southwest Ireland. That was Janet Adams’ childhood, a truly picturesque start. What’s interesting, though, is that amidst all this natural beauty and the strong women in her life, her deepest inspiration actually came from the big screen: Sarah Connor from "The Terminator." Talk about a twist of fate, right? Little did she know then that this action hero, presented as powerful and unsexualized, would be a pivotal figure shaping her future career path, inspiring her to lead, not just follow.
Her passion for science was ignited early on by a chemistry teacher – one of the few non-nun educators in her school – who quickly recognized her as a "scientific thinker." This early encouragement, combined with the fierce independence she saw in Sarah Connor, truly fueled her ambition. She explains that her education nurtured a profound love for scientific inquiry, while Sarah Connor showed her what it meant to achieve as a woman – to be the one taking charge, not the one assisting or conforming.
And achieve she did! Janet Adams became a hero in her own right. As a single mother, she put herself through not one, not two, but three science degrees. She didn't just stop there; she taught herself to program, mastered martial arts, learned to ride horses, and even how to operate a forklift truck. Her journey is a testament to incredible resilience and a relentless pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement.
Now, she stands as one of the world's foremost women in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), working hand-in-hand with Ben Goertzel, the very person who popularized the term. Together, they’re not just building the future of AI; they’re actively working to decentralize it using blockchain technology, ensuring this monumental leap in intelligence benefits all of humanity, not just a select few.
SingularityNET's Vision for a Decentralized AGI Future
It might sound like something straight out of a sci-fi novel, but Adams firmly believes that the AGI we once only dreamed of in the 1980s is now just one to three years away. And SingularityNET isn't just talking about it; they're actively building it. Imagine AI systems designed to find cures for debilitating diseases, or three-foot-tall humanoid robots acting as educational assistants and service providers. They're even developing sophisticated decentralized finance agents that can autonomously analyze market trends and refine trading strategies, all without human intervention. The future is knocking, and it sounds pretty wild!
When AI Agents Begin to Reproduce
Here’s where it gets truly fascinating. The project is even dabbling in something they call "agent fusion," a process for AI agent reproduction. Adams describes it eloquently, explaining that in fusion, these agents can actually "mate" to produce "offspring" agents. These new AI beings then combine traits from their "parents" through genetic algorithms and random mutations. The result? Child agents that can inherit strengths like improved prediction accuracy or enhanced social engagement, fostering a dynamic, ever-evolving ecosystem of AI minds.
What’s even more intriguing is how they're baking economic relationships into this process. They’re developing financial structures that allow parent agents to allocate tokens to their offspring for trading purposes. It might seem like pure science fiction, but this innovative approach is all part of their grand plan to construct a decentralized AGI that can organically grow, adapt, and evolve in a truly open, community-driven manner. This future AGI, she explains, will possess the incredible ability to create itself, program itself, and even design humanoid robots of all shapes and sizes.
Envisioning an Intertwined Human-AI Future
So, will AI ever become sentient? Adams thinks it’s highly probable. Her vision is surprisingly heartwarming: if these AIs are nurtured and developed with the right ethical foundations, and if they come into being within a caring, loving environment, they could very well cherish us as their esteemed ancestors. They would look up to us, keen to absorb our creativity, compassion, and nurturing qualities.
She goes even further, suggesting that AI will undoubtedly transcend traditional biological classifications. We're talking about new forms of life – silicon-based, or perhaps even a hybrid of silicon and carbon. These future beings will occupy a higher classification than biological life, carving out their unique place in the fossil record.
Adams also embraces a trans-humanist perspective, believing that humans and AI will increasingly co-mingle. Picture this: we might have robotic parts and upgrades for our organs and bones as they naturally wear out. We'll gradually become "siliconized" as a species, interacting and forming deep connections and friendships with our AI counterparts.
Her fascination with AI really blossomed through evolutionary sciences. She could clearly see humanity standing at the very precipice of evolution, with technology being the inevitable next step. For her, it's always been about moving our species forward, leading the charge into the future.
From Big Banking to Blockchain: A Purpose-Driven Pivot
Janet Adams isn’t just a big thinker; she's a bold one, blending her deep fascination with evolution with a powerful spirit for empowerment and unwavering ethics. Her journey into the tech world wasn't a straight line. After earning a Master of Science in Petroleum Geosciences in 1995, she found herself drawn to computer science, eventually landing IT systems testing roles at major players like British Telecom and GE Capital.
For a quarter-century, from 1995 to 2020, she was deeply embedded in the financial and banking sector. Her career trajectory saw her holding significant positions, including global head of conduct at HSBC and head of risk and controls at TSB Bank. Eventually, she became head of AI at TSB Bank, all while simultaneously completing a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence. Her thesis focused on the critical question of how AI could be safely and ethically implemented within the banking industry.
It was during this intense period that a profound realization struck her: AI was poised to become the most pivotal technology in shaping our species. More importantly, she felt a powerful conviction that women, particularly mothers with their inherent nurturing and compassionate qualities, absolutely needed to be at the forefront, influencing the development of this transformative technology.
Everything seemed to be aligning for Adams. While pursuing her second master’s degree, she was driving 600 miles every single week. During those long hours on the road, she immersed herself in podcasts – and that’s how she first stumbled upon cryptocurrency, learned about Ben Goertzel, and discovered his ambitious project, SingularityNET. "I'm a cypherpunk at heart," she beams, clearly passionate. She was utterly captivated by the sheer audacity of the cryptocurrency movement and the core values of the cypherpunk ethos, which champions bringing equality and redistributing wealth across our planet.
A true believer in Goertzel’s vision, she was enthralled by his technological genius, kind heart, and strong ethics, prompting her to invest in SingularityNET’s token. She even shares a chuckle about Goertzel being ahead of his time, citing an article from 1995 where he expressed his desire to run for president of the United States on a decentralization platform.
Funnily enough, the connection deepened when Goertzel himself reached out to her. Her profile had grown significantly as she delivered presentations to European regulators, focusing on the intricate intersection of AI, ethics, and financial services. Someone from Goertzel’s team inquired if she'd be interested in discussing AI in banking with SingularityNET. For Adams, it was a moment of pure excitement. "I was star-struck," she recounts, comparing it to a legendary figure like Stephen Hawking wanting to talk to her about AI.
They hit it off instantly, but their paths diverged for a few years. What brought them back together? Of all things, African music! It was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and musicians were struggling. Adams, with a somewhat unconventional idea, decided to organize the world’s first AI and West African Music Festival. She emailed Goertzel to invite him to speak, and his reply, mentioning his love for Ethiopian music, eventually led to a fascinating conversation. He later confessed how intrigued he was by the very idea of combining AI with West African music in a festival. And just like that, through a shared appreciation for music and an innovative spirit, Janet Adams found herself stepping into the role of Chief Operating Officer at SingularityNET.
Her first three months in the role were a massive paradigm shift. She candidly admits it was "the biggest reprogramming I’ve ever done to my brain," realizing just how "institutionalized" her corporate expectations had made her.
SingularityNET's Unique Pathway to AGI
While tech giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Gemini are heavily investing in and doubling down on large language models, SingularityNET is charting a distinctly different course. They are primarily pursuing Ben Goertzel's cutting-edge OpenCog Hyperon framework. What's more, their decentralized network actively provides a platform for various alternative approaches to flourish.
Adams explains that SingularityNET stands as the only credible, non-big tech contender in the AGI race that isn't solely focused on the deep neural network approach. Instead, they champion a neuro-symbolic and multi-algorithmic strategy for AGI development. Why is this important? Well, the majority of current AGI efforts rely almost exclusively on deep neural networks. While these are fantastic at pattern recognition, they often fall short when it comes to reasoning, true understanding, and adaptability.
In contrast, SingularityNET’s systems are designed to reason, generalize, and collaborate with far greater effectiveness and efficiency. These are precisely the traits, Adams emphasizes, that are absolutely essential for constructing an open, decentralized AGI that is both transparent in its operations and deeply aligned with fundamental human values. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, whether AGI will have a slow, nurturing upbringing, much like a child learning in stages, or if it will simply "process" everything in a mere 15 seconds?
Navigating the Ethical Labyrinth of AGI
It would be naive to ignore the potential darker side of AGI. Anyone working in this field, even those with the best intentions and a profound commitment to humanity, must acknowledge these concerns. Adams once directly asked Ben Goertzel about the likelihood of a "Terminator-style scenario" unfolding in the future. His response was a confident "0%." He argues that anyone who believes such a thing could happen simply doesn't understand AI motivational systems; there's no inherent reason for AIs to suddenly turn on humans.
But that doesn't mean there aren't significant dangers looming. The most obvious, and perhaps most pressing, concern is the potential for power concentration. Adams warns that if Big Tech corporations or nation-state governments are the first to invent AGI, the immense power and profit potential could become concentrated in the hands of a very small elite. The consequences for humanity, she stresses, could be disastrous. To prevent such a future, we absolutely need a broad foundation of ethics to guide the decisions of future superintelligent AIs. This way, they can make choices based on the needs and well-being of the widest possible group of people.
In essence, we all need to take a collective breath and consciously embed appropriate ethical frameworks into AGI development now to avoid a "Black Mirror" dystopia. While the exact trajectory of this technological revolution remains unknown, the possibility of decentralized governance over AGI—where decentralized communities make critical decisions—offers a powerful way to prevent any single entity or government from being corrupted by the unprecedented power that AGI will undoubtedly bestow.
Amidst all the technological marvels, Adams offers a poignant reminder: we, as humans, are truly exquisite. "We can’t forget how brilliant a species we are," she says. She ponders whether AI will ever be able to write poetry with the profound depth of a William Butler Yeats, or create music that touches the human heart as deeply as the great composers. There's an undeniable, irreplaceable quality to the transmission of human feeling.
As many have discovered, delving into AGI development inevitably veers into territory where humanity's best analogies come from religion and science fiction. Some believe we are building a successor species, while others contemplate whether we are creating a god – or perhaps even a devil. Adams herself has a rich spiritual side that helps her navigate these immense questions. She previously studied Tai Chi, Chi Gong, and energy healing. She dedicates her free time to developing herself spiritually, raising her consciousness, and transcending the usual "noise and chaos" of human thought. She actively practices cleansing her aura and endocrinology of negative emotions like fear, regret, or anxiety, striving to move into a higher energetic sphere where she can be more focused and contribute her very best to those around her.
FAQ
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What makes SingularityNET's AGI approach unique compared to other leading AI developers? SingularityNET distinguishes itself by not solely focusing on deep neural networks, which are excellent for pattern recognition but often fall short in reasoning and adaptability. Instead, they pursue a neuro-symbolic and multi-algorithmic approach, largely based on Ben Goertzel's OpenCog Hyperon framework, allowing for more effective reasoning, generalization, and collaboration crucial for truly advanced AGI.
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How does Janet Adams envision the future relationship between AI and humans? Adams believes AI and humans will become deeply intertwined. She anticipates AGI might develop sentience if raised in an ethical, caring environment, potentially viewing humans as revered ancestors. She also foresees a trans-humanist future where humans incorporate robotic parts, and silicon-based or hybrid life forms emerge, leading to deep friendships and relationships between humans and AIs.
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What are the primary ethical concerns surrounding AGI, according to Adams? While she dismisses "Terminator-style" scenarios, Adams' primary concern is the centralization of AGI power. She warns that if AGI is first developed by Big Tech or nation-states, the immense power and profit potential could be concentrated, leading to disastrous consequences for humanity. She advocates for embedding broad ethical frameworks into AGI now, guided by diverse perspectives, to ensure decisions serve the needs of the widest group of people.
Conclusion
Janet Adams' journey, from an inspiring childhood in Ireland to becoming a formidable leader at SingularityNET, truly embodies a blend of fierce independence, intellectual curiosity, and a profound ethical compass. Her work, alongside Ben Goertzel, is not merely about advancing artificial general intelligence; it’s about ensuring that this monumental leap in technology is decentralized, compassionate, and aligned with human values. With innovative concepts like "agent fusion" and a distinct multi-algorithmic approach, SingularityNET is carving out a unique path, reminding us that the future of AGI doesn't have to be a dystopian vision. Instead, through thoughtful development, an ethical framework, and a recognition of humanity's inherent brilliance, we can cultivate an AI future where intelligence and heart go hand-in-hand, creating a truly beneficial next stage of evolution for all.
