Vernor Vinge

The singularity concept postulates that AI will soon become superintelligent (sic), far surpassing humans in capability and bringing the human-dominated era to a close. 

While the concept of a tech singularity sometimes inspires negativity and fear, [Vernor] Vinge remained optimistic about humanity's technological future, as [David] Brin notes in his tribute: "Accused by some of a grievous sin—that of 'optimism'—Vernor gave us peerless legends that often depicted human success at overcoming problems... those right in front of us... while posing new ones! New dilemmas that may lie just ahead of our myopic gaze. He would often ask: 'What if we succeed? Do you think that will be the end of it?'"

Vinge's concept heavily influenced futurist Ray Kurzweil, who has written about the singularity several times at length in books such as The Singularity Is Near in 2005. 

In a 2005 interview with the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology website, Kurzweil said, "Vernor Vinge has had some really key insights into the singularity very early on. There were others, such as John Von Neuman, who talked about a singular event occurring, because he had the idea of technological acceleration and singularity half a century ago. But it was simply a casual comment, and Vinge worked out some of the key ideas."

see more: 

The Coming Technological Singularity: How to Survive in the Post-Human Era by Vernor Vinge