Singularisban

Singularisban is a term used in discussions of risk governance and technology ethics to describe a regulatory approach aimed at preventing the occurrence of singular, irreversible transformations in complex systems by preemptively banning certain actions, designs, or configurations that could lead to such transitions. The coinage combines the Latin singularis, meaning "one, unique," with the English word ban, signaling a preventive prohibition intended to preserve system integrity or identity.

In practice, a singularisban would involve guardrails or prohibitions on research directions, architectures, or capabilities deemed capable of triggering disproportionate or irreversible changes, even when immediate risks appear uncertain. Proponents frame it as a proactive safety measure to avoid systemic shocks, while critics view it as potentially vague or overbroad.

Applications are often discussed in the contexts of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digital ecosystems. For example, discussions may envision bans on certain forms of recursive self-modification in AI or on gene-editing modalities that could produce unintended, large-scale ecological or phenotypic shifts. Such proposals emphasize precaution and oversight, but they also raise concerns about hindering beneficial innovation and the ability to adapt to unforeseen developments.

Critics argue that singularisban can be impractical, overly cautious, or misapplied when predictions about complex systems are uncertain. Proponents counter that it provides a framework to prevent catastrophic or identity-altering events before they materialize. In theory and literature, singularisban serves as a thought experiment about balancing precaution with progress in rapidly advancing technologies. Related concepts include the precautionary principle and risk governance.