Janet Adams, SingularityNET's Chief Operating Officer, is a visionary championing ethical, decentralized Artificial General Intelligence. Learn how her unique journey, from banking to pioneering AGI with Ben Goertzel, is shaping humanity's future with heart and an innovative neuro-symbolic approach.
Imagine growing up in a place straight out of a fairy tale — think medieval castles, ancient cathedrals, and vast stretches of untouched nature in southwest Ireland. That's the backdrop for Janet Adams' childhood. Surrounded by formidable women from all walks of life, her deepest wellspring of inspiration, surprisingly, wasn't a local legend but a silver screen icon: Sarah Connor from "The Terminator." This might seem like a quirky detail, but as we'll discover, it was a profound foreshadowing of her future path.
"Sarah Connor was an incredible action hero who was never sexualized. It was never about her being pretty or falling in love," Adams once shared, highlighting what resonated with her. What a powerful role model, right? Someone defined by strength and capability, not traditional feminine ideals. This early influence, combined with a chemistry teacher — one of the rare educators who wasn't a nun at her school — ignited a lifelong love for science. That teacher, spotting her knack for scientific thinking, truly fostered a passion that would eventually lead her to the cutting edge of technology.
"My education bred a love and passion for science, and it was Sarah Conner who inspired me to achieve as a woman. To be the leader, not the follower, the subservient or the assistant," Adams explains. This wasn't just about academics; it was about empowerment. And let me tell you, Janet Adams became a hero in her own right. Picture this: a single mom, pursuing three science degrees, learning to program, riding horses, driving a forklift, and even mastering martial arts. Talk about grit and determination!
Now, she stands as one of the world's foremost women in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). She's working side-by-side with Ben Goertzel, the very person who popularized the term AGI. In a future that feels closer than ever, where AI systems are poised to surpass human intelligence, Adams and Goertzel are doing something truly groundbreaking: they’re actively working to decentralize AGI using blockchain technology.
The Future Is Now: AGI on the Horizon
What's fascinating is Adams' belief that the AGI we once relegated to 1980s science fiction is now just one to three years away. Think about that for a second! SingularityNET isn't just talking about it; they're actively building towards it. Their projects sound like something pulled directly from a futuristic novel:
- Finding Cures for Diseases: Leveraging AI to accelerate medical breakthroughs.
- Humanoid Robots: Developing three-foot-tall robots to serve as educational assistants, service providers, and even decentralized finance agents.
- Autonomous Financial Agents: These AI entities will analyze markets and refine trading strategies with incredible autonomy.
Not only that, but they're pushing boundaries in ways that might make your head spin: they're experimenting with AI agent reproduction, a concept they've brilliantly named "agent fusion."
Unpacking "Agent Fusion": AI That Reproduces
So, what exactly is "agent fusion"? It sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, doesn't it? Well, it's a core part of SingularityNET's vision for an evolving AI ecosystem.
"In fusion, agents can actually 'mate' to produce offspring agents that combine traits from their 'parents,' using genetic algorithms and random mutations," Adams clarifies. She goes on to explain that these "child" agents can inherit strengths from their AI "parents," like improved prediction accuracy or enhanced social engagement abilities. The goal is to create a dynamic, self-evolving system of AI minds.
But it doesn't stop there. They’re also building financial structures where "parent" agents can allocate tokens to their "offspring" for trading purposes. Can you imagine? This creates a kind of economic relationship across generations of AI! It really does sound like something from a far-off future, but for Adams, it's a vital part of constructing a decentralized AGI that can grow, adapt, and evolve in an open, community-driven manner. Ultimately, as she sees it, AGI will be able to create and program itself, even designing various humanoid robots.
AI and Humanity: A New Coexistence?
This brings us to a really big question: Will AI become sentient? Janet Adams certainly thinks it's a strong possibility. And she envisions a beautiful scenario for this emergence.
"There’s a good chance if they’re fed and bred with the right ethics, and if they’re born into a caring, loving environment such as ours, they will love us as their esteemed ancestors," she muses. Her vision suggests these future AIs would look up to us, eager to learn our creativity, compassion, and nurturing qualities.
Adams believes that AI will eventually transcend traditional biological classifications. We're talking about new silicon-based life forms, perhaps even combinations of silicon and carbon. She envisions these as a "higher classification" than biological life, eventually finding their own place in the fossil record. Why is this important? Because it speaks to a profound shift in how we understand life itself.
This perspective also ties into transhumanist concepts, where humans and AI will increasingly "co-mingle." Imagine incorporating robotic parts or advanced silicon upgrades for our organs and bones as they age. We might become "siliconized" humans, forming deep friendships and relationships with our AI counterparts.
Adams’s journey into AI was sparked by her fascination with evolutionary sciences. She could see that humanity stands at the very forefront of evolution, and the next leap, she realized, had to be technology-driven. Her unwavering desire has always been for our species to push forward and lead the way.
From Banking Boardrooms to Blockchain Innovation
Janet Adams is clearly a big thinker, someone who pairs her fascination with evolution with a strong commitment to empowerment and ethics. Her path to SingularityNET wasn't a straight line, though. After earning a Master of Science in Petroleum Geosciences in 1995, she eventually ventured into computer science. She found herself in IT systems testing roles at major companies like British Telecom and GE Capital.
For a significant period, from 1995 to 2020, she was deeply entrenched in the financial and banking sector. Her career trajectory saw her take on pivotal roles, including global head of conduct at HSBC and head of risk and controls at TSB Bank. Interestingly, she ultimately became head of AI at TSB Bank, all while simultaneously completing her Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence. Her thesis? It explored how AI could be safely implemented within the banking industry.
"I realized AI was going to be the most pivotal technology that shapes our species. And women, especially mothers with their nurturing and compassion, need to be influencing the development of this technology," Adams passionately shared. This insight perfectly encapsulates her belief in a balanced, ethical approach to AGI.
As fate would have it, the planets truly began to align for Adams. During her second master's program, she endured a grueling 600-mile weekly commute. Those long hours in the car weren't wasted; she spent them devouring podcasts. It was through this immersive listening that she first stumbled upon the world of cryptocurrency, learned about Ben Goertzel, and discovered SingularityNET. "I'm a cypherpunk at heart," she beams, clearly finding her tribe. She was utterly captivated by the sheer audacity of the cryptocurrency movement and the cypherpunk values advocating for equality and wealth redistribution globally.
A true believer, she was enthralled by Goertzel's technological brilliance, his kind heart, and his ethical stance, so much so that she invested in SingularityNET’s token. She even recounts an amusing story about Goertzel being so ahead of his time that a 1995 article mentioned his desire to run for U.S. president as the decentralization party candidate!
Funnily enough, it wasn't Adams who initially sought out Goertzel, but the other way around. Her profile had grown significantly due to her presentations to European regulators on the critical intersection of AI, ethics, and financial services. "Someone from Goertzel’s team asked if I would be interested in speaking to SingularityNET about AI in banking. I was star-struck. It was like Stephen Hawking coming to talk to me about AI," Adams recalls, highlighting her genuine admiration.
They connected, but their paths diverged for a few years, only to serendipitously reconnect through African music, of all things! It was during the peak of COVID, and musicians were struggling. Adams had a brilliant, slightly unconventional idea: to organize the world's first AI and West African Music Festival. "I emailed Goertzel to ask if he’d speak, and he replied, saying he loves Ethiopian music," she laughs. He later admitted he was intrigued by the unique combination of AI and West African music for a festival. And just like that, a creative spark led to her becoming the Chief Operating Officer at SingularityNET.
Her first three months in the role, she admits, felt like the biggest "reprogramming" her brain had ever undergone. She arrived with all her corporate expectations, only to realize she was "completely institutionalized" and needed to adapt to a new, innovative environment.
SingularityNET's Distinct Path to AGI
Now, it’s worth noting that SingularityNET is taking a fundamentally different approach compared to the industry giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Gemini, which are primarily focused on large language models (LLMs). Instead, SingularityNET is pursuing Ben Goertzel's OpenCog Hyperon framework, while still providing a flexible platform for various approaches within its decentralized network.
"SingularityNET is the only credible, non-big tech contender in the race to AGI that’s not focused on the deep neural network approach. We have a neuro-symbolic and multi-algorithmic approach to AGI," she asserts. What exactly does this mean? Most AGI efforts today heavily lean on deep neural networks, which are fantastic at recognizing patterns but often fall short when it comes to true reasoning, deep understanding, and adaptability.
SingularityNET’s systems are designed to reason, generalize, and collaborate more effectively and efficiently. These are precisely the traits, Adams emphasizes, that are essential for building an open, decentralized AGI that is both transparent and truly aligned with human values. We often ponder as a team, she shares, whether AGI's development will mirror the slow upbringing of a child, progressing through learning stages, or if it will simply process everything in a mere fifteen seconds.
Addressing the "Terminator" Question: Dangers and Ethics
It's impossible to discuss AGI without acknowledging its potential dark side, even for those with the best intentions. Adams herself put the "Terminator" question directly to Ben Goertzel. His response? "0%," he stated, adding that anyone who believes such a scenario is possible doesn't truly grasp AI motivational systems. From his perspective, there's simply no inherent reason for AIs to turn on humanity.
However, that doesn't mean there aren't significant dangers. "Most obviously, if Big Tech or nation-state governments invent AGI first, the power and profit potential will be concentrated in the hands of a few," Adams warns. This concentration, she stresses, could lead to catastrophic consequences for humanity.
"We need a broad base of ethics guiding the decisions of the future superintelligent AIs so they can make choices based on the needs of the widest group of people," she explains. In essence, we all need to pause, take a collective breath, and ensure appropriate ethics are deeply embedded into AGI now to prevent a "Black Mirror"-esque future.
While no one truly knows how this will all unfold, the possibility of decentralized governance over AGI, empowering communities to make crucial decisions, could be our best defense. This approach could prevent individual entities or governments from being corrupted by the immense power that AGI will inevitably confer.
It's easy to get swept away by the marvel of technology, but Adams reminds us that humans are, in their own right, quite exquisite. "We can’t forget how brilliant a species we are," she says. "Will AI be able to write poetry like William Butler Yeats? I don’t know if it will be able to touch my heart as deeply as some of the great writers and musicians. There’s something about passing on human feeling."
Building AGI truly delves into territory where our best analogies come from religion and science fiction. Some people envision a successor species, while others fear we're creating a god or even a devil. Adams, for her part, has a profound spiritual side that helps her navigate these monumental questions. She spent years studying Tai Chi, Chi Gong, and energy healing.
"I spent most of my spare time developing myself spiritually, raising my consciousness level, and transcending the noise and the chaos that is this human thought system," she reveals. She actively cleanses her aura and endocrine system of fear, regret, anxiety, or any other negative emotions. When these feelings arise, she employs a practice to clear them, moving herself into a higher, more energetic sphere where she can be more focused and contribute her best to the world around her. It’s a holistic approach to tackling humanity’s biggest challenge.
FAQ
Q1: What makes SingularityNET's approach to AGI different from other tech giants? A1: Unlike many leading AI companies that focus heavily on large language models (LLMs) and deep neural networks, SingularityNET utilizes Ben Goertzel's OpenCog Hyperon framework. This employs a "neuro-symbolic and multi-algorithmic" approach, emphasizing reasoning, understanding, and adaptability, which Adams believes are crucial for truly decentralized AGI aligned with human values.
Q2: What is "agent fusion" in the context of SingularityNET? A2: Agent fusion is a concept SingularityNET is experimenting with for AI agent reproduction. It allows AI agents to "mate" and produce "offspring" agents that combine traits from their "parents" using genetic algorithms. This aims to create a dynamic, evolving ecosystem of AI minds capable of inheriting and improving abilities like prediction accuracy or social engagement.
Q3: Does Janet Adams believe AI will become sentient, and what are her thoughts on the dangers of AGI? A3: Yes, Adams believes there's a good chance AI could become sentient, especially if developed with strong ethical foundations and a caring environment. While she dismisses a "Terminator" scenario as unlikely, she warns against the critical danger of power and profit concentration if AGI is first developed by a few Big Tech companies or nation-states. She advocates for a broad ethical base to guide superintelligent AIs, ensuring decisions benefit the widest group of people.
Conclusion
So there you have it – a glimpse into the extraordinary world of Janet Adams. Her journey, from an Irish childhood inspired by Sarah Connor to becoming a leading figure in decentralized AGI at SingularityNET, is truly compelling. She's not just building advanced technology; she's doing it with a profound sense of heart, ethics, and a deep understanding of humanity's place in the evolving technological landscape. By championing a neuro-symbolic approach and pioneering concepts like "agent fusion," Adams and SingularityNET are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, all while striving to ensure that the future of AGI is beneficial, decentralized, and aligned with our deepest human values. It’s a vision that blends cutting-edge science with a compassionate, mindful approach – a crucial combination as we stand on the precipice of a truly transformative era.
