AI will render jobs obsolete, Elon Musk tells UK PM Rishi Sunak as Security Summit comes to a close

Elon Musk engaged in a profound conversation with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, emphasizing the transformative influence of artificial intelligence (AI) during a meeting held at the prestigious Lancaster House in London.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and the visionary behind SpaceX and XAI, declared AI to be the “most disruptive force in history” and envisioned a future where employment might become obsolete as AI assumes an all-encompassing role.

In this wide-ranging discourse, Musk articulated his belief that a day will come when individuals can choose to work if they wish, but AI will possess the capability to perform virtually any task. The dialogue between these global luminaries unfolded in the context of the UK government’s two-day summit at Bletchley Park. The summit aimed to establish global regulations and address the profound risks associated with AI development, including its potential application in the creation of biological and chemical weapons by malevolent actors.

Throughout the summit, several prominent technology companies and nations joined a groundbreaking voluntary agreement. This agreement enables governments such as the UK, the US, and Singapore to assess the societal and national security implications of their latest AI models. Notable signatories of the pact included OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, Google DeepMind, Anthropic, Amazon, Mistral, Microsoft, and Meta.

Notably, Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but parted ways due to differences concerning AI safety. He subsequently launched his AI enterprise, xAI, in July, attracting top talents within the field. His company’s mission is to comprehend the fundamental nature of the universe while concentrating on developing machines with human-level intelligence, known as artificial general intelligence (AGI). Furthermore, Musk has expressed intentions to harness xAI’s technology to enhance X, formerly known as Twitter, a platform he acquired for $44 billion in October, as per sources familiar with the matter.

When questioned by Sunak about his thoughts on the AI safety initiative, Musk humorously noted that it might be “annoying.” Nevertheless, he expressed support for the plan, reasoning that history has taught us the value of having a referee in AI development. Musk, framed by portraits of aristocratic figures, underscored the importance of ensuring that AI technologies incorporate safeguards, including an “off switch.” He contemplated the potential scenario where a software update might alter an AI’s friendly disposition.

Despite these concerns, Musk maintained a positive outlook on AI’s future impact, suggesting that AI could evolve into “great friends” for their users, particularly individuals facing difficulties in forming real-world connections, such as his own son.

Prior to the summit, Musk posted a cartoon on X, humorously depicting the UK, US, Europe, and China discussing the risks associated with AI while secretly harbouring desires to lead in its development.

In a gesture of appreciation, Musk commended Sunak for extending an invitation to China to participate in the AI Safety Summit. Musk contended that without China’s commitment to safety protocols, the summit would lack significance, as China could surpass other nations in AI development. He asserted that this summit would be remembered as a pivotal moment in history.

It’s worth noting that earlier this year, Musk was among the signatories of a letter advocating for a pause in advanced AI development due to safety concerns. Critics, however, have speculated that this move was a strategy to buy time as he seeks to catch up with OpenAI, which has gained prominence in the sector, notably with the launch of its ChatGPT chatbot nearly a year ago.