# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Log (July 10, 2011)

• A significant debate occurred about the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI) and LessWrong community, with kanzure expressing concerns about their "Scary Idea" - the belief that developing advanced AGI without provably non-dangerous design would likely lead to human extinction.

• Ben Goertzel's critique of SIAI was referenced, highlighting the difference between acknowledging AI risks versus claiming near-certainty of human extinction without specific safety measures.

• Participants discussed whether AI systems would necessarily be software-based, with mjr arguing that the Church-Turing thesis makes software AI "trivially possible" while others questioned this assumption.

• The conversation explored philosophical differences between rationalist and transhumanist approaches to managing existential risks, with jrayhawk suggesting transhumanist enhancement might better prepare humanity for AI challenges than rationalist improvement alone.

• Several DIY biology and hardware projects were mentioned, including a "pipetbot" liquid handling system that could potentially be developed into a business, with discussion about whether to use existing designs or create new ones.

• A reference was made to using CD-ROM lasers for pulsed laser microfluidics pumps, suggesting low-cost approaches to DIY laboratory equipment.