Isn't it somewhat inherent to the singularity concept that there won't be early signs? Either the machine has achieved runaway self-improvement capability or it hasn't.
Then the early sign is an AI than can self-improve, which current AIs are too narrow to do. Fortunately, our technology isn't there yet, the first singularity would crash or run out of resources. I hope the next iterations will be developed in isolation after showing spontaneous exponential growth.
I'll wait until Alpha Go Zero improves itself to the point it decides to do something that isn't playing go.
Yes, I agree to that.
This was my impression. I think the singularity term was used to try to convey that as well
Prior to runaway self improvement the machine would be improved by human engineers and could be compared to those - way worse, a bit worse, similar. bit better, much better etc. So you should see that happen.
Presumably there’s a stage between achieving sentience, and realizing the importance of protecting power sources.