Elon Musk Discusses with Xi Jinping the Power Takeover in China by AI
During his trip to China in May of this year, Elon Musk shared his observations with the Chinese leadership regarding the potential of a "digital superintelligence" – an artificial intelligence capable of usurping the power of the Chinese Communist Party and taking control of the country. He revealed this information on Twitter Spaces, as reported by Business Insider.
Musk stated that he discussed with Chinese officials the potential threats associated with artificial intelligence and its ability to seize power.
"I think it resonated. No government wants to be powerless against a digital superintelligence," Musk said.
This is not the first time Musk has drawn attention to the risks associated with transforming artificial intelligence into a unique "superintelligence" with capabilities comparable to humans. His concerns have grown since the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT. In Twitter Spaces, Musk expressed his desire to "put a pause" on the development of artificial intelligence but acknowledged that it is not a realistic prospect.
During his trip to China, Musk was treated like royalty, meeting with government officials and business leaders to discuss pertinent topics such as artificial intelligence. Musk also mentioned that his dialogue with Chinese leaders has sparked interest in establishing an "international collaborative structure" for regulating artificial intelligence. However, he recognized a certain level of mistrust towards the United States.
These reflections on the future of AI come against the backdrop of the launch of xAI, Musk's new company aimed at competing with OpenAI and other technology firms, seeking to "understand the true nature of the universe."
Elon Musk's visit to China took place in late May, marking his first visit to the country after the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid escalating disputes with the United States, the CEO of Tesla continues to show support for China, making him one of the few technology company leaders in Silicon Valley to maintain such a stance.
This affinity is not surprising, considering China's increasingly important role in expanding Tesla's empire of electric vehicles. In the first quarter, over half of the automaker's deliveries were made in China, partially due to its competitive pricing strategy.