^ The point of singularity.

Didn't some professor predict that this would happen around 2030?

Talking about Carl Sagan or Ray Kurzweil?

Haven't got a clue, I was reading about months ago.

Almost certainly Kurzweil...he is as bit...erhm...optimistic to put it mildly. 

I would personally put it between 2050 and 2060 before we have computer intellects capable of designing future generations with intellegence.  One of the things being pushed really hard right now is mapping the neurons in the brains of various animals to better mimic a brain in our AI designs (this is the concept of a neural network).  The problem is that its a big leap from mapping to understanding and another big leap from understanding to actually implementing. We are already doing some understanding in terms of interpreting the signals but we haven't really grasped how the brain does what it does so well just yet.

We are on the path and there is light at that end of the tunnel (or darkness depending on how you view it) but its going to be a lot of effort and politically this will become an issue before the project can be completed.  That alone will probably push the completion time out 15 years as soon as the politicians figure out that its not far off...think cloning in terms of the series of events and ethical debate building up to the final breakthrough.

@Sqrl, well you don't read widely enough do you. Try google.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=drone+aircraft+reported+civilian+bombings&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

This is where we are heading-
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/07/air-force-plans-for-all-drone-future/

Terminator music begins...

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skynet_(satellites)

There's already a SkyNet.

i hate the military post they get me in trouble sometimes when i reply. but really guys do you think them oddly shaped aircraft that are filmed over testing sights by military buffs and UFO hunters making unbelievable maneuvers at speeds that would kill a human pilot are extraterrestrials that came all the way here just to put on a air show for the Earth boys and girls, or might they be unmanned aircraft using new types of propulsion system relieving the pilot of unpleasant G Forces. it may look pretty but it isn't worth squat in less it can really do something useful so might as well attach new robot missiles since there's no pilot aboard it needs to think for itself.

and why do we need this.

Many nations are now involved in secretly developing the technology for robot weapons some not so friendly to the US or UK so we have to be ready to meet the needs at hand otherwise you'll be hoping your pilots can knock down a bunch of Chinese or Russian robot planes.

one other thing. (respectfully) for our English friends across the way, 30 years from now when your sitting next to the fireplace watching a documentary on tv, don't be shocked when they show old military papers saying made in America, asked for and half funded buy England.

Couldn't the singularity not happen by simply NOT building a smarter robot?