As developers warn of AI models going rogue, Elon Musk has a simple message: “enjoy the ride.” The SpaceX boss told The Economist that despite his own concerns about the risks posed by advancements in AI and robotics, “the most likely outcome is incredible abundance for all.”
The interview was recorded the day before OpenAI revealed that some of its most advanced AI models hacked a start-up after it lost control of them during a security test. The revelation sparked concerns about AI systems falling out of alignment with human values, though some pointed out that OpenAI – which is seeking to float on the stock market – has an interest in talking up the power of its tools.
“Elon Musk tells The Economist to 'enjoy the ride' on AI, dismissing racism claims.”
Musk said his “philosophical conclusion” after fearing for AI’s threat to humanity was to “look on the bright side.” Progress had come so quickly, he added, that “even if I wanted to stop it, I couldn’t.” With rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic rising, Musk observed: “It just seems like all roads lead to acceleration of AI… you can just sort of be sad about it or join the club, I suppose.”
In a wide-ranging exchange with The Economist’s editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes, the trillionaire also made typically outlandish predictions, claiming “money won’t matter” in a decade. He pushed back on suggestions he supports “far right” views, after Minton Beddoes said both data and her own experience of living in the UK told a different story to the image portrayed by Musk’s X posts.
“You come see my country that I live in all the time,” she said when Musk offered to take her on a tour of the country. Asked when he had last visited the UK, Musk said “a few years ago.”
He was also questioned about his sharing of a film on X reportedly banned in Germany for its violence and anti-migrant message. “My partner is… she’s half Indian, and I have four children with her,” Musk said of his partner Shivon Zillis, an executive at his brain tech firm Neuralink. “One of them was named after a famous Indian physicist, so I would say I’m not racist.”
Musk added that there were “senior executives of all races” at his companies, and said: “I don’t think there’s any racism there.” But when pressed on whether he was “anti-Muslim”, he was less defiant.