As for 'the singularity', I call bullshit on that one too. It can't be done. Someone show me a compelling argument that it's theoretically possible for machines to have consciousness, and I will eat my words.
Why wouldn't it be possible? Why your brain would be so different from a machine? It's just a bunch of cells, with a chemico-electric behavior that can be modelled.
^ this. Biology is just carbon-based biomechanical machines... It's the complexity of the system that provides for emergent intelligence.
Intelligence is an emergent thing, not an inherent thing, born from complexity. Use google or wikipedia on these terms, you will find much information.
There is no reason why intelligence could not emerge in a silicon or otherwise non-carbon based anatomy.