Tesla CEO Elon Musk believes that artificial intelligence or AI is something to be feared, particularly how machines and programs can do everything better than humans and even spark a war.
That said, he has asked America's governors to regulate the technology as soon as possible.
Musk Warns Governors Of AI's Dangers
Speaking at the National Governors Association Summer Meeting held in Rhode Island, Musk took the stage to caution the governors present about the dangers of AI.
"I have exposure to the very most cutting-edge AI, and I think people should be really concerned about it," he said.
Musk explained that proactive regulation is a must when it comes to AI, more or less repeating his viewpoint regarding the risks involved in the technology.
"AI is a rare case where I think we need to be proactive in regulation instead of reactive. Because I think by the time we are reactive in AI regulation, it's too late," he continued, pointing out that it would be wrong to wait for bad things to happen before taking action.
To drive his point home further, he outlined the difference between AI regulation and those commonly regulated.
"AI is a fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization, in a way that car accidents, airplane crashes, faulty drugs, or bad food were not," he said.
Musk also argued that regulation is important so that AI companies' respective developments can be paused and then analyzed to make sure they're safe.
"You kind of need the regulators to do that for all the teams in the game. Otherwise the shareholders will be saying, why aren't you developing AI faster? Because your competitor is," he said.
Specifically, Musk thinks that AI can potentially start a war via "fake news and spoofing email accounts and fake press releases, and just by manipulating information," which explains his fear of the technology.
Musk Is Not Alone In His Sentiment
Other notable persons who express concern regarding the possible dangers of AI include Microsoft CEO Bill Gates and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking.
Musk, along with the two abovementioned dignitaries, believe that AI could someday pose a major threat to humanity.
Back in 2015, Gates said that he agreed with Musk's worries and that he doesn't understand why some people aren't concerned.
Meanwhile, Hawking said that the threats in question include global warming and mass species extinction, to name a few.
Long story short, as Musk puts it, "the biggest risk we face as a civilization is artificial intelligence."
Musk's comments on AI start around the 48-minute mark.
