Elon Musk and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sat down together to discuss wide-ranging tech topics, including AI benefits and dangers, on Thursday.
According to CNN, the conversation, which capped off the UK's inaugural AI Safety Summit, was posted on X via Musk's personal account. The interview saw the OpenAI co-founder predicting that "AI will be a force for good most likely," but warned that "the probability of it going bad is not zero percent."
The almost hour-long interview happened at a stage in Lancaster House in central London, with Sunak acting as the interviewer. He asked Musk about predictions for artificial intelligence (AI), preferred regulations, and future implications.
When he asked the tech billionaire how he would prefer AI to be governed, Musk noted that he agrees with the "vast majority of regulations" despite being "annoying."
He compared these AI regulations to a referee in a sports game, which he said "is a good thing," as the government can ensure that technological innovations will be created with public safety.
The Tesla CEO noted that tech experts have too much optimism regarding AI, but its risks and downside must be mitigated. Musk also said that considering the growth of ChatGPT, with the AI chatbot's pace being "faster than any technology [he's] seen in history by far," AI will exceed human intelligence in the future.
Musk further noted that AI could lead to a future where "AI will be able to do everything," making jobs obsolete, and AI companionship will be one of the best kinds of friendship.
(Photo : LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk meets with the French Minister for the Economy and Finances on the sidelines of the 6th edition of the "Choose France" Summit at the Chateau de Versailles, outside Paris, on May 15, 2023.
Elon Musk Mentions China's 'Essential' Participation in AI Safety
When asked about China's participation in the summit, Elon Musk said it was "essential."
"Thank you for inviting them... Having them here is essential. If they're not participants, it's pointless," he told Sunak.
Musk said China must be on board with AI safety as failure to do so could only make the situation somewhat "moot." He noted that Beijing's participation is vital to prevent a scenario where they "jump into the lead and exceed us all."
He also cited the importance of alignment on AI safety among global powers such as the US, the UK, and China in collectively shaping the future of AI.
Sunak said that inviting China was not an easy decision. He said some lawmakers had criticized him for inviting China. However, Sunak noted that any effort on AI safety had to include its leading players.
China has shown cooperation during the summit by signing a "Bletchley Declaration," an agreement that aims to ensure the safe development and use of AI technologies.
Elon Musk's Past Efforts in AI Safety
Elon Musk joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in September to discuss AI and antisemitism on X. He has also met French President Emmanuel Macron several times since last year.
Other high-profile figures that recently made time for Musk in their schedule include Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in September.
Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but quit three years later over disagreements. In July, he announced the launch of his new AI company, xAI, with an aim to "understand the true nature of the universe."
