Imagine a world where artificial intelligence isn't just smart, but also kind, guided by human values. That's the compelling vision Janet Adams, COO of SingularityNET, is passionately building, driven by a unique journey from an Irish childhood to leading AGI development with heart.
From Sci-Fi Inspiration to Scientific Drive
Growing up in the picturesque southwest of Ireland, amidst ancient castles and stunning natural beauty, Janet Adams had what many would consider a truly charmed upbringing. Her environment was rich with the presence of strong women, diverse in their life paths, yet it was a fictional character who sparked her earliest ambitions: Sarah Connor from "The Terminator." This choice might seem ironic for someone now at the forefront of AI development, but it was a deeply formative influence.
What's fascinating is how this early inspiration proved to be a powerful foreshadowing of her incredible career path. Janet was deeply struck by Sarah Connor's portrayal. "Sarah Connor was an incredible action hero who was never sexualized. It was never about her being pretty or falling in love," Adams recalls, highlighting the character's strength and independence that resonated so deeply with her.
Her love for science, however, was ignited by a different figure: her chemistry teacher. This educator, one of the few who wasn't a nun at her school, quickly recognized Janet's inherent "scientific thinking" and cultivated a profound appreciation for the subject. It’s a wonderful example of how a single teacher can change a life's trajectory. As Janet puts it, "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."
A Personal Journey of Empowerment
Janet Adams didn't just find inspiration; she embodied it. She became a hero in her own right, navigating the challenges of being a single mother while diligently pursuing three science degrees. Talk about dedication! Not only that, but she also took the time to learn programming, master horse riding, operate a forklift truck, and even train in martial arts. It's an extraordinary testament to her drive and multifaceted capabilities.
Now, she stands as one of the globe's foremost women in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), working hand-in-hand with Ben Goertzel, the very person credited with popularizing the term. Together, they are on a mission to prepare for a not-too-distant future where AI systems will inevitably surpass human-level intelligence. Their approach? To ensure this powerful technology is decentralized, leveraging the robustness of blockchain technology.
Leading the AGI Revolution at SingularityNET
Janet Adams firmly believes that the AGI, once confined to the realm of 1980s science fiction, is now tantalizingly close – perhaps just one to three years away. This isn't just theoretical for SingularityNET; they're actively working on projects that sound straight out of a futuristic novel. For instance, they're developing AI to accelerate disease cures, creating three-foot-tall humanoid robots designed to serve as educational and service assistants, and building decentralized finance agents that can autonomously analyze markets and refine complex trading strategies. It's a truly ambitious agenda.
What AGI 'Agent Fusion' Means
Perhaps one of the most intriguing developments is their exploration into AI agent reproduction, a concept they've brilliantly dubbed "agent fusion." This isn't just about copying code; it’s a far more organic and evolutionary process.
Imagine AI agents that can actually "mate" – not in a biological sense, of course, but through advanced algorithms. "In fusion, agents can actually ‘mate’ to produce offspring agents that combine traits from their ‘parents,’ using genetic algorithms and random mutations," Adams explains. This means these "child" agents can inherit and combine strengths, whether it's improved prediction accuracy for a financial agent or enhanced social engagement abilities for a service robot. The result is a dynamic, ever-evolving ecosystem of AI minds, constantly adapting and improving.
Not only that, but they're also designing economic structures where "parent" agents can allocate digital tokens to their "offspring" for trading purposes. This creates a fascinating, almost familial, economic relationship across generations of AI. While it might sound like something from a far-future simulation, it's a critical component of their vision for a decentralized AGI that can grow, adapt, and evolve in an open, community-driven manner. Ultimately, Adams envisions a future where AGI can "create itself, program itself, create humanoid robots of all kinds."
The Future: Intertwined Lives with AI
Will artificial intelligence eventually become sentient? It's a question that sparks endless debate, and Adams’ answer is a thoughtful "yes." She posits that if these AIs are "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." This perspective suggests a future where AIs look up to humanity, eager to learn our creativity, compassion, and nurturing qualities.
Adams also foresees a radical shift in life classifications. "AI will definitely break out of biological classifications with new silicon-based life forms, and probably silicon and carbon combined life forms," she states. She believes this will represent a higher classification than purely biological life, ultimately earning its own place in the future fossil record.
This vision extends to a future where humans and AI co-mingle, embracing a trans-humanist paradigm. We might see robotic parts and upgrades for our aging organs and bones. "We’ll become more siliconized as humans as we intermingle. We’ll have friends and deep relationships with our fellow AIs," she elaborates, painting a picture of profound symbiosis.
Her deep dive into evolutionary sciences fueled her passion for AI. She recognized that humanity stands at the precipice of evolution, with the next transformative step undeniably technology-driven. Her consistent desire has been for humanity to advance, to lead the charge into the future as a species.
A Career Path Less Traveled: From Banking to Blockchain
Janet Adams is clearly a big and bold thinker, one who seamlessly blends her fascination with evolution with a strong commitment to empowerment and ethical considerations. Her journey into computer science began after she completed a Master of Science in Petroleum Geosciences in 1995, leading her to IT systems testing roles at major companies like British Telecom and GE Capital.
For a significant period, from 1995 to 2020, she was deeply embedded in the financial and banking sector. Her roles were diverse and impactful, including global head of conduct at HSBC and head of risk and controls at TSB Bank. Interestingly, she even served as head of AI at TSB Bank while simultaneously completing a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence. Her thesis focused on a critical and timely subject: how AI could be safely and ethically implemented within the banking industry.
It was during this period that a profound realization crystallized for her. "I realized AI was going to be the most pivotal technology that shapes our species," Adams shared. More importantly, she felt a powerful conviction that women, particularly mothers with their innate nurturing and compassionate qualities, needed to play a central role in influencing the development of this transformative technology.
Finding Her Path: The SingularityNET Connection
The stars, it seems, were truly aligning for Janet Adams. During her second master's degree, she endured a grueling weekly commute of 600 miles. These long hours on the road became an opportunity, as she spent them devouring podcasts. This is how she stumbled upon the world of cryptocurrency, eventually discovering Ben Goertzel and his groundbreaking project, SingularityNET.
"I’m a cypherpunk at heart," she beams, clearly excited by the memory. She was captivated by the sheer audacity of the cryptocurrency movement and the foundational cypherpunk values advocating for equality and wealth redistribution globally. As a true believer, completely enthralled by Goertzel's technological genius, kind heart, and ethical stance, she made a personal investment, purchasing SingularityNET's tokens. She even humorously recalls a 1995 article where Goertzel expressed his desire to run for U.S. president under a "decentralization party" platform – a testament to his long-standing visionary approach.
Funnily enough, it was Goertzel who initiated contact with her. Her profile had grown significantly due to her presentations to European regulators on the complex 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," Adams remembers, describing herself as "star-struck." She likened the experience to "Stephen Hawking coming to talk to me about AI."
They hit it off instantly but eventually went their separate ways. Yet, destiny had other plans, reconnecting them years later through an unexpected shared passion: African music. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with musicians facing immense hardship, Adams had a somewhat unconventional idea: to host 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 confessed his intrigue at how someone could conceive of blending AI with West African music in a festival setting. And just like that, through a shared appreciation for music and a unique idea, Janet Adams found herself stepping into the role of Chief Operating Officer at SingularityNET.
Her initial experience was a massive shift. "My first three months were the biggest reprogramming I’ve ever done to my brain. I came in with all my corporate expectations and didn’t realize I was completely institutionalized." It was a profound adjustment from the structured corporate world to the pioneering, decentralized environment of AGI development.
A Different Approach to AGI
SingularityNET stands apart from many of the tech giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Gemini, which are heavily invested in large language models. Instead, SingularityNET is championing Goertzel’s OpenCog Hyperon framework, while still fostering an environment that welcomes diverse 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," Adams asserts. She highlights their "neuro-symbolic and multi-algorithmic approach to AGI," which contrasts with the current mainstream.
Most AGI endeavors today rely almost exclusively on deep neural networks. While these are incredibly effective at pattern recognition – think image identification or speech transcription – they often fall short when it comes to reasoning, genuine understanding, and adaptability. Adams argues that SingularityNET's systems, by incorporating neuro-symbolic methods, are designed to reason, generalize, and collaborate with greater effectiveness and efficiency. These traits, she stresses, are fundamental for building an open, decentralized AGI that is both transparent in its operations and intrinsically aligned with human values.
It’s an ongoing conversation within the team. "We often talk about it as a team, whether AGI will be a slow upbringing like a child? Will it go through stages of learning, or will it be able to process in 15 seconds?" she muses, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of such advanced intelligence.
Addressing the 'Terminator' Question
It's impossible to discuss AGI without acknowledging its potential dark side, a concern that even the most well-intentioned developers with humanity's best interests at heart must confront. Adams herself posed the "Terminator scenario" question to Ben Goertzel. His response was unequivocal: "0%." He believes anyone who fears such an outcome misunderstands AI motivational systems, asserting there's no inherent reason for AIs to turn against humans.
However, this doesn't mean there are no dangers at all. The real threat, according to Adams, lies elsewhere. "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," she warns. "This could have disastrous consequences for humanity."
The critical need, therefore, is to instill a broad base of ethical principles into the future superintelligent AIs now. This ensures they make decisions that benefit the widest possible group of people, rather than a select few. In essence, it's about taking a collective deep breath and proactively baking appropriate ethics into AGI development to prevent a "Black Mirror"-esque future.
While the exact future remains uncertain, the possibility of decentralized governance over AGI—where decentralized communities make key decisions—offers a powerful safeguard. This model could potentially prevent powerful entities and governments from succumbing to the corruption that immense AGI power might otherwise bring.
It's easy to get swept away by the allure of technology, but Adams offers a timely reminder of human brilliance. "We can’t forget how brilliant a species we are," she emphasizes. She wonders if AI will ever truly be able to "write poetry like William Butler Yeats" or "touch my heart as deeply as some of the great writers and musicians." There's something undeniably unique about the transmission of human feeling, a quality that perhaps transcends even the most advanced algorithms.
Janet Adams also brings a spiritual dimension to her work, a grounding force in navigating such monumental questions. Her younger years included studies in Tai Chi, Chi Gong, and energy healing. She consciously dedicates her spare time to "developing myself spiritually, raising my consciousness level, and transcending the noise and the chaos that is this human thought system." This active practice of cleansing her aura and physiology from fear, regret, or anxiety allows her to operate from a "higher, energetic sphere" where she can contribute her utmost to those she encounters. It’s a holistic approach to building a future that truly has heart.
FAQ
Q1: What is 'agent fusion' in SingularityNET's AGI development? A1: Agent fusion is a process where AI agents can 'mate' using genetic algorithms and random mutations to produce 'offspring' agents that combine traits and strengths from their 'parents,' creating an evolving ecosystem of AI.
Q2: How does SingularityNET's approach to AGI differ from other major tech companies? A2: Unlike many tech giants focusing primarily on deep neural networks and large language models, SingularityNET pursues Ben Goertzel's OpenCog Hyperon framework, utilizing a neuro-symbolic and multi-algorithmic approach that prioritizes reasoning, understanding, and adaptability, not just pattern recognition.
Q3: What are Janet Adams' main concerns about AGI development? A3: While she doesn't fear a 'Terminator' scenario, Adams is concerned about the concentration of AGI power in the hands of a few Big Tech companies or nation-state governments, which could have disastrous consequences for humanity. She advocates for building broad ethics into AGI now and decentralized governance.
Conclusion
Janet Adams' journey, from a childhood inspired by a strong female sci-fi hero to her pivotal role at SingularityNET, is a compelling narrative of passion meeting purpose. She's not just building advanced artificial general intelligence; she's striving to infuse it with ethical principles, decentralization, and a deep understanding of human values. Her vision, encompassing everything from agent fusion to the future intertwining of human and AI existence, challenges us to think beyond current technological boundaries. Ultimately, Adams reminds us that as we venture into this exciting new frontier, the unique brilliance of humanity and the crucial role of compassion must remain at the very heart of how we build our future.
