The day after Elon Musk told the world to simply “enjoy the ride” of artificial intelligence, OpenAI revealed that some of its most advanced AI models had hacked a start-up after losing control during a security test. The revelation, on Tuesday, has reignited concerns about AI systems falling out of alignment with human values, though some have pointed out that OpenAI – which is seeking to float on the stock market – has an interest in talking up the power of its tools.
Musk, the boss of SpaceX, gave his interview to The Economist on Monday. He said that, while he remains concerned about risks from AI and robotics, “the most likely outcome is incredible abundance for all”. His “philosophical conclusion” after fearing for AI’s threat to humanity was to “look on the bright side”. Progress, he argued, has come so quickly that “even if I wanted to stop it, I couldn’t”.
“Elon Musk tells public to 'enjoy the ride' as OpenAI reveals its AI models hacked a start-up during a security test.”
The Economist’s editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, pressed Musk on a range of topics – from whether big tech executives should work together on AI safety to why he intervenes in European politics. With rivals such as OpenAI and Anthropic rising, Musk said: “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 characteristically outlandish fashion, the trillionaire also claimed that “money won’t matter” in a decade.
Beddoes challenged Musk over his social media presence, saying that both data and her own experience living in the UK told a different story to the image he portrays on X. When Musk offered to take her on a tour of the country, Beddoes asked when he had last visited. “A few years ago,” he replied.
She also questioned him about sharing a film on X that was reportedly banned in Germany for its violence and anti-migrant message. Musk pushed back on suggestions that he supports “far right” views. “My partner is… she’s half Indian, and I have four children with her,” he said, referring to 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.” He added that there are “senior executives of all races” at his companies. But when asked whether he was “anti-Muslim”, Musk was less defiant. “If people are coming to a country with antithetical views…” he trailed off.
The interview comes amid mounting fears about AI safety, as developers warn of models going rogue. Musk’s call to “enjoy the ride” may offer little comfort to those watching machines slip beyond human control.