AI will surpass humanity in 5 years: Elon Musk makes shocking prediction
Musk's grim prediction: Human labor could become optional within 10 years (Screenshot: The Economist)
Elon Musk has shared a new prediction about the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on the world. The billionaire also commented on the technological rivalry between the United States and China, as well as the future of the global economy, according to The Economist.
When will AI surpass all humans?
The CEO of SpaceX and Tesla said that artificial intelligence fills him with both excitement and fear, but he believes the process is now unstoppable.
Musk expects the following developments:
- Within five years, AI systems will surpass the combined intelligence of all humans on Earth.
- Within ten years, humanoid robots will perform most physical work, while AI will take over the majority of intellectual tasks.
According to Musk, this technological leap will usher in an era of unprecedented abundance. As a result, money could lose much of its current importance, with deflation becoming the world's biggest economic challenge.
During the transition period, governments may simply have to write people checks in the form of a universal high income, Musk added.
US–China cooperation
The development of increasingly powerful AI models comes with serious risks, so Musk proposed a system of mutual oversight under which leading American and Chinese AI labs would give each other access to new models one to two weeks before their official release.
In his view, this would allow competitors to identify potential dangers and report them to governments before the technology reaches the public.
Musk also said he would be willing to set aside his long-running personal feud with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman if it meant ensuring the safe development of AI and the good of the world.
China's chances in the AI race
The entrepreneur argued that the United States should not ban Chinese AI models, saying such restrictions would do little to slow China's technological progress.
According to Musk, Beijing has a strong chance of becoming the global AI leader thanks to its vast energy resources and large-scale robotics manufacturing.
He also claimed that China is much closer to producing its own advanced chipmaking equipment than most analysts believe.
In Musk's view, AI development is accelerating every day, leaving humanity with only one option: enjoy the ride.
