Elon Musk believes that artificial intelligence could lead to widespread job loss. According to a CNBC report, Musk, who owns companies like Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly known as Twitter), and a new AI startup called xAI, recently stated that AI has the potential to be the most disruptive force in history. He mentioned that there will come a point where AI becomes smarter than the smartest human, and while it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when that will happen, there may no longer be a need for most jobs. Musk made these remarks while sharing the stage with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and added a touch of humor, acknowledging that people might find this idea both comforting and discomforting.
Musk has frequently warned about the risks of AI to humanity, even suggesting it could be more dangerous than nuclear weapons. He was part of a group of tech leaders who called for a pause in the development of AI surpassing OpenAI’s GPT-4 software in a widely-recognized open letter.
However, not everyone in the tech world agrees with Musk’s viewpoint. Alex Karp, the CEO of Palantir, expressed a different opinion in a June interview with BBC Radio. He believes that some people advocating for a pause in AI development might be doing so because they lack a competitive product.
Musk’s recent statements coincided with the conclusion of an important summit in Bletchley Park, England, where global leaders reached an agreement on the risks posed by AI. At the summit, both technologists and political leaders highlighted the potential existential threats associated with AI, particularly focusing on worst-case scenarios resulting from the creation of a superintelligent AI.
