Fatal robots that can ascend plants, AI companions and a job-free prospect were touched upon during Rishi Sunak's conversation with Elon Musk.
The prime minister hosted a rare "in conversation" session with billionaire X and the Tesla owner at the conclusion of the summit on artificial intelligence.
During the talk which was extensive and informal, Mr Musk mainly provided the answers as the prime minister posed the majority of the inquiries.
The duo discussed how London was a major center for the AI sector and how the technology could revolutionize education.
Still, the conversation veered toenna a murkier terrain too, with Mr Sunak acknowledging the "apprehension" people feel when it comes to occupations being superseded, and both of them recognizing the necessity of a "custodian" to observe the powerful computers of the future.
This video is unable to be played. brain by 2025
Elon Musk, the billionaire, has informed the British prime minister that, by 2025, Artificial Intelligence will have a level of intelligence surpassing that of the most intelligent human brain.
Mr Musk has made investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies, as well as implementing the tech in his Tesla autonomous vehicles. Despite this, he has voiced his trepidations about AI potentially jeopardizing our society and the human race.
He warned the audience that a major safety issue is particularly evident when it comes to humanoid robots. He added that, for instance, a car cannot pursue someone into a building or up a tree.
Mr Sunak expressed enthusiasm to support the expansion of the United Kingdom's burgeoning tech sector and replied: "You're not selling this."
It's not often that the prime minister of a country interviews a businessman in this way, but Mr Sunak appeared pleased to be the presenter for his distinguished visitor.
If he appeared to be having a good time, it makes sense - considering his prior living in Silicon Valley's home, California, and his well-established enthusiasm for technology.
In the expansive hall, Mr Musk had difficulty being heard, and stumbled through his elaborate thoughts about what the future could bring, taking care not to say anything random that might result in the embarrassment of Downing Street.
The occasion took place before attendees from the tech world in a luxurious hall situated in the centre of London's Lancaster House.
Notably, television cameras were excluded from the gathering involving the prime minister, with Downing Street instead circulating their own recordings.
Reporters were given the opportunity to watch, but they were not permitted to inquire.
Mr Musk and his companion deliberated on the possible rewards of artificial intelligence, and he remarked: "One of my sons has difficulty forming relationships and I think an AI companion would be great for him."
Mr Musk also accepted the potential AI has for young people's education, expressing his belief that it can be "the greatest and most compassionate teacher".
A stern warning was issued regarding the perilous effects it could have on conventional occupations. I'm not sure what the world looks like after that point."
"Mr Musk remarked that what they were witnessing was the 'most destructive force in history.' He then went on to surmise, 'At some point, manual labor may no longer be required – people could opt to have a job for fun but Artificial Intelligence would be able to do everything. I'm not sure what the world would look like after that.'
It could be seen both positively and negatively - one of the difficulties in the future will be discovering a purpose in life.
Amidst all the discussions of philosophical matters, there was not much in the way of new declarations about how the technology will be utilized and administrated in the UK - apart from the prime minister's pledge that AI can be employed to better the government's own website.
At this week's summit, Mr Musk was one of the star guests - yet it appeared for a moment that the gathering with Mr Sunak might become a bit overshadowed.
Merely hours ahead of its scheduled start, Mr Musk used his own website X (formerly Twitter) to launch a jibe at the summit.
As Mr Sunak spoke during his closing address at Bletchley Park, Mr Musk shared an animation mocking an "AI Safety Summit".
The caricatures of the UK, European Union, China and the US exhibited speech bubbles that said, "We declare that AI poses a potentially catastrophic risk to humankind", while their thought bubbles contained the phrase, "And I cannot wait to develop it".
In conclusion, it was evident that the duo were at ease in one another's company, and Chancellor Sunak appeared to be especially comfortable - possibly even a bit awe-struck by the well-known tycoon, to whom he labelled as a "noteworthy innovator and technologist".
It was difficult to determine from the inexpensive seats behind the notable figures of the tech industry which one of them was the most influential.
Did Mr Sunak pose questions to the well-known tech billionaire, or did Mr Musk take charge of the conversation?
No matter what, both men are hoping to have an influence on whatever our AI future holds.
Tom Gerken provided additional coverage.
Comments