The timeline for reaching the technological singularity is a subject of much debate among experts, with predictions varying widely based on different assumptions and models of technological growth. Ray Kurzweil, one of the most vocal proponents of the singularity, has famously predicted that the singularity is near and will happen by 2045.

While futurist Ray Kurzweil predicted 15 years ago that the singularity—the time when the abilities of a computer overtake the abilities of the human brain—will occur in about 2045, Gale and his co-authors believe this event may be much more imminent, especially with the advent of quantum computing.