Elon Musk warns of the 'uncomfortable' truth about AI
Topics: Elon Musk, Rishi Sunak, Artificial Intelligence
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: ElonMusk/X
Topics: Elon Musk, Rishi Sunak, Artificial Intelligence
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has divided people for years, especially as work on it continues to accelerate.
We've got to the point where AI chatbots are bringing dead people 'back to life', while others worry they may be out of a job in the future because of how quickly the technology is advancing.
So who better to shed some light on the situation that two of the biggest names in the world right now - even if they may not be the most popular people on the planet.
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On Thursday (2 November), X owner Elon Musk and UK Prime Minster Rishi Sunak sat down to talk all things AI.
The tech billionaire compared AI to a 'magic genie' as he revealed the 'uncomfortable' truth about the advancements in the sector.
Musk warned there would be a time where 'no job is needed', though he did add that people could work 'for personal satisfaction if they wished'.
"I'm someone who believes work gives you meaning," the UK PM stated in front of tech bosses and journalists.
Musk replied: "You can have a job if you want to for personal satisfaction, AI can do everything.
"I don't know if that makes people comfortable or uncomfortable. It's both good and bad.
"One of the challenges in future will be how do we find meaning in life. We won't have universal basic income but universal high income. It'll be good for education - it'll be the best tutor."
While there is evidently a lot of concern about AI, the X boss has suggested that AI robots could actually become our friends in the future rather than our foes.
"An AI with memory could know you better than you know yourself – you could actually have a great friend," he said.
Both Sunak and Musk agreed there is a lot of potential when it comes to AI, though the latter warned devices should have a physical 'off switch' as well as regulation.
"There is a need for government to play a role when public safety is at risk," Musk said.
"It can be annoying, but having a referee is a good thing.
"AI will be a force for good – most likely – but the chance of it going badly is not zero."
Elsewhere in the discussion, Musk praised Sunak for inviting China to the summit, adding: "If China is not on board, it becomes a weird situation. China is willing to participate in AI safety.
"This is something they care about – having them here was essential."