Exponential

"The leap from basic artificial intelligence to human level artificial intelligence will be measured in years.

The leap from human level AI to an Artificial Super Intelligence will be measured in.... optimistically?

Hours..."

Again the thought intruded Adam's mind, chilling his skin.

"An AI of that nature in existence would be comparable to the arrival of a deity. Humanity as a species is in no way prepared for any type of leap that far into advancement."

His hands hovered, shaking above the keyboard.

"From the moment this AI is real. We will be handing all control of our species planet and possible universe to a being we created that we are still too simple to fully understand. It could save us all and bring us to a level of unfathomable renaissance marking our first step in becoming a universal species. Or it could eliminate us all painlessly and simply along with any and all species that it calculates as an obstacle, all based on motivations and directives that though we sparked. We could not begin to truly know unless it chooses to teach us. Its the coin flip of our entire existence on this planet."

His eyes fixated on the quarter atop his desk.

"The most terrifying part, if you study economics, logistics and the like, is you come to understand that there are a great many motivating factors currently spear heading the development of any and all AI. Our Coin flip could happen on accident in an research facility, it could happen intentionally through some one with good or with bad intentions. That in mind though who is more likely to flip this kind of coin in our current state as a species? The calm and rational, or the intense and radical?"

Adam began to inhale steadily

"Even with the best precautions and purest hope for the future, is it there ever really a time where it could be considered the right thing to do?"

*....Click.*