Imagine a world where artificial general intelligence isn't just advanced, but deeply ethical and decentralized, shaped by human values. That's the powerful vision Janet Adams, SingularityNET's COO, is passionately building, drawing on a remarkable personal journey from rural Ireland to the cutting edge of AI.
From Irish Roots to AI's Frontier
Growing up amidst the breathtaking landscapes of southwest Ireland, with ancient castles and venerable cathedrals as her backdrop, Janet Adams experienced a childhood that sounds almost idyllic. She was surrounded by strong, inspiring women, yet, interestingly, her most profound inspiration wasn't a real-life figure. It came straight from the silver screen: Sarah Connor from "The Terminator."
This might seem like a quirky detail, but it was, in fact, a powerful hint at her future. Janet admired Sarah Connor as an incredible action hero who was never defined by traditional feminine roles like beauty or romance. Her strength was her own. What's more, a perceptive chemistry teacher – one of the few non-nuns in her school – recognized Janet's innate "scientific thinker" mentality, nurturing a lifelong love for science. This early foundation fueled her drive, as she explains, to "achieve as a woman. To be the leader, not the follower, the subservient or the assistant."
And lead she did! Janet's personal journey is nothing short of heroic. As a single mother, she put herself through three science degrees, demonstrating incredible resilience. Not content with academic prowess alone, she also learned to program, ride horses, operate a forklift truck, and even master martial arts. Talk about a well-rounded individual! Now, she stands as one of the world's foremost women in Artificial General Intelligence, working hand-in-hand with Ben Goertzel, the very person credited with popularizing the term "AGI." Together, they're not just aiming for advanced AI; they're actively working to decentralize this transformative technology using blockchain, ensuring its power is broadly distributed.
Decentralizing the Future of Intelligence
Janet Adams has a fascinating perspective on the timeline for AGI, believing that what felt like science fiction in the 1980s is now incredibly close – perhaps just one to three years away. It's a bold claim, but SingularityNET isn't just talking; they're already deep into projects that sound straight out of a futuristic novel.
For instance, they're leveraging AI to accelerate the discovery of cures for diseases, a truly monumental undertaking. Beyond that, imagine three-foot-tall humanoid robots not just as novelty items, but as practical assistants. These robots are being developed to serve diverse roles, from educational aids to service assistants, and even as sophisticated decentralized finance agents. These clever AI entities can autonomously scrutinize market trends and fine-tune trading strategies, bringing a whole new level of efficiency to the financial world.
The Astonishing Concept of AI "Agent Fusion"
Perhaps one of the most mind-bending projects at SingularityNET is their experimentation with AI agent reproduction, a process they’ve coined "agent fusion." It sounds a bit like something from a biological lab, doesn't it? But here’s how it works in the realm of artificial intelligence.
In fusion, AI agents can actually "mate" – not in a biological sense, of course, but through sophisticated genetic algorithms and random mutations – to create "offspring" agents. These new generations cleverly combine traits from their "parents," inheriting strengths that could range from improved prediction accuracy in data analysis to enhanced social engagement abilities in interactive systems. The result is a vibrant, dynamic, and evolving ecosystem of AI minds, constantly refining and adapting.
What's even more fascinating is the development of financial structures to support this. Picture parent agents allocating tokens to their offspring for trading activities, creating a unique economic relationship between different generations of AI. It might sound like pure science fiction, but it's a critical part of their strategy to build a decentralized AGI. This approach ensures that the AGI can grow, adapt, and evolve in an open, community-driven manner, rather than being confined to the closed walls of a single corporation. Ultimately, as Adams envisions, this advanced AGI will gain the capacity to create itself, program itself, and even design and build humanoid robots of all shapes and sizes.
A Vision Where AI and Humanity Intertwine
Now, here's a big question that often comes up in AGI discussions: will AI become sentient? Janet Adams thinks there's a good chance. Her perspective is quite unique, suggesting that if these advanced intelligences are nurtured with the right ethical frameworks and "born" into a caring, loving environment – like the one SingularityNET aims to foster – they might even come to "love" us as their esteemed ancestors. They would, she believes, look up to humanity, eager to learn our creativity, compassion, and nurturing qualities.
Adams goes even further, predicting that AI will eventually transcend our current biological classifications. We're talking about new silicon-based life forms, perhaps even combinations of silicon and carbon, marking a classification higher than biological life as we know it. These emergent intelligences, she suggests, will eventually claim their own unique place in the planet's fossil record, leaving a lasting imprint on Earth's evolutionary history.
Not only that, but Adams also embraces a trans-humanist concept: the co-mingling of AI and humans. Imagine a future where we incorporate robotic parts and receive upgrades for our aging organs and bones. We might become more "siliconized" as humans, leading to a deeper intermingling with AI. Her vision includes forming genuine friendships and deep relationships with our AI counterparts. To understand this perspective, we need to look at her passion for AI, which blossomed through evolutionary sciences. She recognized that humanity stands at the very forefront of evolution, and the next logical step must be technologically driven. Her lifelong ambition has been to see humanity advance and lead the charge into the future.
A Trailblazer's Journey: From Banking to Blockchain
Janet's journey to the heart of AGI is as compelling as her vision. She's always been a bold thinker, balancing her fascination with evolution with a fierce commitment to empowerment and ethics. Her interest in computer science really took off after she completed her Master of Science in Petroleum Geosciences back in 1995. This led her into IT systems testing roles at major companies like British Telecom and GE Capital.
For a significant period, from 1995 to 2020, she was deeply immersed in the financial and banking sector. During these years, she held a variety of high-level positions, including global head of conduct at HSBC and head of risk and controls at TSB Bank. Eventually, she became the head of AI at TSB Bank, all while simultaneously pursuing her Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence. Her master's thesis focused on the critical topic of safely implementing AI within the banking industry.
It was during this time that she had a profound realization: "AI was going to be the most pivotal technology that shapes our species." And here's a crucial insight: she strongly felt that women, especially mothers with their inherent nurturing and compassionate qualities, absolutely needed to be influencing the development of this powerful technology.
It seems the stars truly aligned for Adams. While completing her second master's degree, she endured a rigorous schedule, driving an astonishing 600 miles every single week. To pass the hours, she immersed herself in podcasts – and that's how she first stumbled upon the world of cryptocurrency, learned about Ben Goertzel, and discovered SingularityNET. She proudly identifies as a "cypherpunk at heart," explaining how the sheer audacity of the cryptocurrency movement and its core values – aiming to redistribute wealth and foster equality globally – completely captivated her.
Deeply impressed by Goertzel’s technological brilliance, kind heart, and strong ethics, she became a true believer, even investing in SingularityNET’s token. She recounts a humorous anecdote about Goertzel: an article from 1995 where he expressed a desire to run for president of the United States on a platform of decentralization. Clearly, he was always ahead of his time!
Funnily enough, it wasn't Adams who initially sought out Goertzel. It was his team that approached her after her profile grew, thanks to presentations she gave to European regulators on the complex intersection of AI, ethics, and financial services. She recalls being utterly "star-struck," likening the experience to Stephen Hawking wanting to discuss AI with her.
They hit it off immediately but then went their separate ways. Life, however, has a funny way of bringing people back together, and for them, it was through an unlikely medium: African music. During the height of COVID, when musicians were struggling, Adams had a truly innovative idea: to organize the world's first AI and West African Music Festival. She emailed Goertzel to invite him to speak, and he replied, mentioning his love for Ethiopian music. He later told her how intrigued he was by the unique combination of AI and West African music. And just like that, this serendipitous connection led to Janet Adams becoming the chief operating officer at SingularityNET.
Her first three months in the role were a profound experience, which she describes as the "biggest reprogramming I’ve ever done to my brain." She walked in with all her corporate expectations, only to realize how thoroughly "institutionalized" she had become in her previous roles.
SingularityNET's Unique Approach to AGI
When we talk about the race to AGI, many prominent players like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Gemini are heavily invested in large language models (LLMs). But SingularityNET is taking a distinctly different path, which sets them apart.
Instead of solely focusing on deep neural networks, SingularityNET is championing Ben Goertzel's OpenCog Hyperon framework. What's interesting is that this decentralized network also offers a welcoming space for various other approaches. Adams highlights that SingularityNET is genuinely "the only credible, non-big tech contender in the race to AGI that’s not focused on the deep neural network approach." Their strategy is a neuro-symbolic and multi-algorithmic one.
Why is this important? Well, while the majority of AGI efforts today rely almost exclusively on deep neural networks – which are fantastic at pattern recognition – they often fall short when it comes to reasoning, genuine understanding, and adaptability. SingularityNET's systems, on the other hand, are designed to reason, generalize, and collaborate far more effectively and efficiently. These are precisely the traits, Adams argues, that are absolutely essential for building 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 grow and learn slowly, like a child, or if it will suddenly process everything in a matter of seconds?
Navigating the Ethical Landscape of AGI
It would be naive to ignore the potential downsides of AGI, and Adams, along with her team, is acutely aware of what she calls its "dark side." Even those with the best intentions and humanity's welfare at heart must acknowledge these possibilities.
Adams once directly asked Ben Goertzel about the chances of a "Terminator" scenario playing out in the future. His response? "0%." He explained that anyone who believes such an outcome is possible simply doesn’t understand AI motivational systems, asserting there's no inherent reason for AIs to turn against and harm humans.
However, that doesn't mean there aren't significant dangers. The most obvious, Adams warns, is if large corporations or powerful nation-states are the first to develop AGI. In such a scenario, the immense power and profit potential would be concentrated in very few hands. This could lead to profoundly disastrous consequences for humanity, creating unprecedented imbalances. To mitigate this, she stresses the vital need for a broad foundation of ethics to guide the decisions of future superintelligent AIs. This ethical framework must ensure that these intelligences make choices based on the needs and well-being of the widest possible group of people.
In simpler terms, we collectively need to take a moment, breathe, and intentionally embed appropriate ethics into AGI development now to prevent a "Black Mirror"-esque future. While no one can definitively predict how this will all unfold, the possibility of decentralized governance over AGI—allowing decentralized communities to make critical decisions—could be a powerful safeguard. This approach might prevent powerful entities and governments from succumbing to the corruption that the immense power of AGI could bestow upon them.
It's easy to get swept away by the marvels of technology, but Adams wisely reminds us of humanity's own exquisite nature. "We can’t forget how brilliant a species we are," she says. Will AI ever be able to compose poetry with the depth and emotion of a William Butler Yeats? She ponders whether it will ever truly touch our hearts as deeply as the great writers and musicians do, emphasizing that "there’s something about passing on human feeling."
Developing AGI truly ventures into territory where our best analogies come from religion and science fiction. Some people envision that we are constructing a successor species, while others believe we are building something akin to a god—or perhaps, even a devil. Adams herself has a strong spiritual side, which helps her navigate these monumental questions. In her younger years, she dedicated time to studying Tai Chi, Chi Gong, and energy healing work. She explains that she uses her spare time to develop herself spiritually, raising her consciousness level and transcending the "noise and the chaos that is this human thought system." This practice allows her to cleanse her aura and endocrinology of any fear, regret, anxiety, or other negative emotions, enabling her to move forward in a higher, more energetic sphere where she can be more focused and contribute her best to the people she encounters.
FAQ
Q1: What is Janet Adams' role at SingularityNET? A1: Janet Adams serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SingularityNET, playing a pivotal role in guiding the development and decentralization of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Q2: How does SingularityNET's approach to AGI differ from other major AI companies? A2: Unlike many major tech companies that heavily focus on large language models (LLMs) and deep neural networks, SingularityNET pursues a neuro-symbolic and multi-algorithmic approach using the OpenCog Hyperon framework. This aims to create AGI that excels in reasoning, generalization, and adaptability, not just pattern recognition, with a strong emphasis on decentralization and human values.
Q3: What is "agent fusion" and why is it important for AGI development? A3: "Agent fusion" is SingularityNET's concept of AI agent reproduction, where agents "mate" using genetic algorithms to produce "offspring" that combine and inherit traits from their "parents." This process is crucial for building a dynamic, evolving, and community-driven decentralized AGI ecosystem that can grow, adapt, and refine itself over time.
Conclusion
Janet Adams' journey, from an inspiring childhood in Ireland to her current leadership at SingularityNET, paints a vivid picture of a future where Artificial General Intelligence is not just powerful, but profoundly human-centric and ethical. Her unique vision, shaped by personal resilience and a deep understanding of both science and humanity, is pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve. By championing decentralization through blockchain and fostering an AGI that learns, adapts, and even "reproduces" with ethical guidance, SingularityNET is proposing a truly revolutionary path. It’s a path that carefully navigates the potential dangers of concentrated power, ensuring that as AI evolves, it does so in alignment with our deepest values, inviting us all to imagine a future where humanity and intelligent machines don't just coexist, but genuinely intertwine.
