Death-dealing automatons capable of scaling trees, artificial intelligent companions, and a potential future of joblessness were key points of debate as Rishi Sunak engaged in a riveting tete-a-tete with Elon Musk.
This unconventional rendezvous between Sunak and the renowned billionaire entrepreneur and owner of SpaceX and Tesla marked the culmination of the week’s symposium on artificial intelligence. With Musk holding sway throughout the extensive and amicable conversation, Sunak invariably posed the bulk of the questions.
The dialogue journeyed through various themes, encompassing London’s status as a premier AI hub and how this technology harbours the potential to revolutionize learning processes. However, the dialogue wasn’t devoid of gloomier aspects, specifically Sunak’s acknowledgement of public apprehension over job displacement and his concordance with Musk over the necessity for overseers to monitor future supercomputers.
Musk has a significant investment footprint across AI enterprises, employing the technology in his autonomous Tesla vehicles. Yet he is vocal about his apprehensions on the potential threat it poses to society and humanity.
He stressed the safety implications, particularly involving humanoid automatons, presenting the nightmarish scenario of an AI-powered being pursuing you relentlessly – a task a car cannot accomplish. Responding, Sunak wryly noted, “You’re not selling this.”
The exchange stood out, seeing Sunak hosting Musk, a scene not often associated with a head of state interviewing a business tycoon. Sunak’s enjoyment was evident, reflecting his past life in Silicon Valley, and an enduring affinity for technology.
Though his assertions on the AI-dominated future were mostly muffled in the large hall, Musk was cautiously guarded against spontaneous remarks that could put him at odds with Downing Street. The congregation included select guests from the tech industry. However, TV cameras were forbidden inside the venue – Lancaster House in central London, with Downing Street releasing their independent footage.
The conversation steered towards the potential benefits of AI, with Musk sharing personal anecdotes about how an AI companion would be beneficial for his socially awkward son. The duo shared an optimistic vision of AI’s potential in revolutionizing the learning experience for younger generations. Musk even referred to AI as the “best and most patient tutor”.
Yet, a word of caution was sounded vis-à-vis the potentially disastrous impact on traditional vocations. Musk warned about the devastatingly transformational force of AI, conjecturing a future where human labour becomes obsolete.
The discussions strayed towards philosophies, the existential crises attendant with a jobless future, and the quest for purpose in life. However, revelations about the regulation and application of AI technology in the UK were scant, save for Sunak’s assurance of AI’s application in enhancing the government’s website.
Musk, one of the conference’s main attractions, briefly stole the show during his segment with Sunak. Just hours before the event, Musk took shots at the conference via social media. This light-hearted banter did, however, end on a high note with both men visibly at ease during their conversation.
From the auditorium’s fringes, distinguishing who held the reins of power was enigmatic. Was it Sunak, probing the influential tech billionaire with insightful questions? Or was it Musk, dominating the discussion with his vision for an AI-centric future? Nonetheless, both men will undoubtedly partake in moulding the future of AI.
