Others joining Kurzweil and Diamandis are Pete Worden, director of NASA Ames, Dr. Robert Richards, cofounder of the International Space University, and Google's Dr. Michael Simpson.

"Human society is nearing the precipice of a technological roller coaster that we aren't ready to ride," said Richards. "The Singularity University, a concept first introduced at ideaCity08, will help educate and prepare humanity's future leaders for a world of accelerating technological change and the profound challenges it will bring to our social, legal and moral precepts."

Calling All Super Leaders

The school, modeled after the International Space University in France, will expose graduate students and top-level executives to cross-disciplinary subjects, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, IT and artificial intelligence. Courses will be offered in bioinformatics, genetics, law, health and several other topics.

Similar to how the ISU develops future leaders of world space, the focus behind Singularity University is to bring people together to consider solutions to real-world issues. At the group's founding meeting Sept. 20 at the NASA Ames Research Center, the team was able to get Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to help with planning.

"ISU formed an incredibly important case study and model on which to build the SU concept," Richards said. "Our SU key visionary and Chancellor Ray Kurzweil became a fan of ISU's 3i approach ... and this became the model needed to properly deal with the vast scope of the singularity concept."

"The grand challenges facing humanity are driven most by growing population pressures on our societies and planet," Richards said. "Energy, food, health ... the basic necessities of life can all benefit from carefully planned technologies that by today's standards would appear as magic to most people."

The convergence of biotech, nanotech, AI and robotics will transform the world, according to Richards. SU aims to prepare for the technological change and channel the new technologies to benefit life on earth.

When the university opens in June, 30 students will become the first SU alumni. Additionally, graduate courses will be offered with classes of up to 120 students. Top-level executives will also have an opportunity to take part in three-day and 10-day courses at the NASA Ames campus in California. The cost for the program is $25,000.

Google Supports University

Internet search giant Google is the corporate founder for the university. Andrew Pederson, a Google spokesperson, said Google has provided $250,000 in support.

"Google has a history of supporting a variety of technological research and education initiatives, and supporting SU will improve the availability and quality of continuing technical education in Silicon Valley," Pederson said. "As a corporate founder, Google has the option to have some employees attend SU classes and the opportunity to sit on the board of trustees. SU is still in its early phases, however, and Google hasn't made any specific plans."