Elon Musk has predicted the possibility of AI-related catastrophe at “10 to twenty%,” whereas doubling down on free speech over advertiser calls for for censorship.
Musk, talking at Cannes Lions on Wednesday morning, mentioned: “I are inclined to agree with Geoff Hinton – one of many godfathers of AI – and he thinks there’s a 10-20% chance of one thing horrible taking place.”
Musk didn’t specify what he meant by “horrible,” as a substitute including: “The glass is 80% full. Look on the brilliant aspect.”
He went on: “I feel the most certainly final result is one among abundance, the place items and companies can be found to anybody. There’s no scarcity for any one among us. It could be a common hike. Work can be elective.”
This might deliver with it, he added, “a disaster of that means.”
“If AI can do every part you are able to do however higher, what’s the purpose of doing issues? I feel there will probably be an existential disaster,” mentioned the X proprietor.
Talking of the “worst case state of affairs” – potential human annihilation by AI, Musk contemplated: “Would I need to be round to see it? Most likely, sure.”
He mirrored that we’re “on the most attention-grabbing time in historical past” after which repeated this on the finish to a packed auditorium, telling the room: “Benefit from the experience.”
Musk sat down at Cannes Lions with Mark Learn, CEO of WPP, for a wide-ranging discuss on topics together with the transformative energy of technological innovation, how AI is reshaping creativity, enterprise and society, and the way forward for his social media platform.
Doubling down on free speech
He doubled down on his dedication to free speech on his X platform, following earlier battles with advertisers over points of brand name security.
Musk appeared completely satisfied to stroll into the lions’ den for advertisers, the place he was requested on stage about his remark in November final 12 months that “advertisers can go f*** themselves.”
He mentioned his comment wasn’t supposed to “goal advertisers as a complete,” including: “I feel it’s essential to have a freedom of speech platform the place folks from a variety can categorical their views. And in some circumstances, there are advertisers who had been insisting on censorship. If it’s a selection between censorship and cash and free speech and shedding cash, we’re going to choose the second.”
He went on: “Advertisers have a proper to look subsequent to content material that’s appropriate with their manufacturers, that’s completely effective, however what shouldn’t be cool is insisting that there will be no content material they disagree with on the platform… Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and for X to be the general public sq. of the world, it must be a free speech platform – throughout the bounds of the legislation. I feel it’s crucial that individuals have the appropriate to talk.”
Requested if, because the boss of Xm, he regretted any of his personal feedback on the platform in occasions passed by, Musk replied: “I do shoot myself within the foot sometimes, however no less than you realize it’s real, not some kind of PR. In the event you converse freely, there’ll be occasions if you find yourself silly, in fact, however if you happen to’re continually going by way of a filter, you’re not actual, so I assume it’s higher to be actual than undergo a filter.”
He made the purpose that he believes the platform continues to be one of the simplest ways for anybody the world over to achieve, not simply influencers however “intellectuals.”
“If you wish to attain essentially the most influential folks on this planet, not simply social media influencers however really (these) who run corporations, run nations, and intellectuals of the world, individuals who write, the X platform is by far one of the best,” he mentioned. “It’s virtually the one option to attain these folks. They’re not watching TV, they’re not doing TikTok movies. X is smaller than different social media platforms, however they’re essentially the most influential folks on this planet, so if you wish to attain them, it’s one of the best place to go.”
With the U.S. presidential election cycle looming, Musk mentioned he would welcome any debate to happen on the X platform. He didn’t lean into the political dialogue, nonetheless, contenting himself with saying, “It’s going to be attention-grabbing.”
Others to have spoken at Cannes Lions embrace Chrissy Teigen and Queen Latifah.
