American billionaire and businessman Elon Musk has made a bold prediction about the future, saying there will be no jobs. He says jobs will just become obsolete but everyone will still enjoy a high standard of living. The billionaire was speaking during an Artificial Intelligence summit.
Will jobs become obsolete? Musk predicts
The owner of Tesla and social media application, X formerly known as Twitter, made this bold prediction chatting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the inaugural AI Summit.
While artificial intelligence will take over the job market, Musk argues that people will still find ways to get an income. In his words, he says it’s hard to say exactly what that moment is or will be, but “there will come a point where no job is needed.”
While the CEO said it’s hard to say exactly what that moment is, there will come a point where no job is needed.
“You can have a job if you want a job for personal satisfaction, but the AI will be able to do everything.”
Despite expressing that his view could make people uncomfortable as AI will significantly impact education, serving as an exceptional tutor, he believes there will be a time or an era of abundance with no shortage of goods and services.
In a 50-minute interview via MSN and BBC, he also warned of humanoid robots that “can chase you anywhere”. Sunak and Musk talked about how London was a leading hub for the AI industry and how the technology could transform learning.
Known for investing in technology and AI firms, the South African-born billionaire has employed the technology in his driverless Tesla cars – but he’s also on the record about his fears it could threaten society and human existence itself.
“There is a safety concern, especially with humanoid robots – at least a car can’t chase you into a building or up a tree,” he told the audience.
“We are seeing the most disruptive force in history here. It’s both good and bad – one of the challenges in the future will be how do we find meaning in life.”
In his response to the prediction, Sunak, who is keen to see investment in the UK’s growing tech industry – said: “You’re not selling this.”
While having the best time of his life as he interviewed his famous guest, Sunak is famed for his love for all things tech since he also lived in California, home to Silicon Valley.
Hosted in front of guests from the tech industry in a lavish hall in central London’s Lancaster House, television cameras were not allowed inside, with Downing Street instead releasing their footage.
However, some reporters were allowed to observe – but told they could not ask questions. You can watch the full video here asit is going viral.
Musk on the benefits of AI
Musk also said one of his sons is struggling to make friends and suggested that AI will help him: “One of my sons has trouble making friends and an AI friend would be great for him.”
There was also agreement on the possibilities AI presents for young people’s learning, with Mr Musk saying it could be “the best and most patient tutor”.
Amid all the philosophising, there was little in the way of new announcements about how the technology will be employed and regulated in the UK – besides Sunak’s promise that AI could be used to improve the government’s own website.
As things stand, it remains to be seen if his prediction will eventually become a reality but there is no doubt his sentiments have divided the tech space.