Get All Access for $5/mo

Elon Musk Is Glad People Are 'Taking AI Seriously,' Warns of a 'Magic Genie Problem' "AI will be a force for good most likely," Musk said. "But the probability of it going bad is not zero percent."

By Madeline Garfinkle

Key Takeaways

  • Elon Musk said AI is one of the most "disruptive forces in history" at the inaugural AI Safety Summit on Thursday.
  • Tesla's CEO compared it to a "magic genie" that can grant all wishes.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Elon Musk hasn't been shy about his opinions on AI — he's one of thousands of tech magnates and industry executives who signed an open letter in March calling for a six-month pause on AI development, warning of the "profound risks to society and humanity."

However, no such pause happened. Now, Musk's outlook appears to be more optimistic.

During a conversation with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the UK's inaugural AI Safety Summit on Thursday, Elon Musk emphasized the immense impact of artificial intelligence, labeling it as one of the "most disruptive forces in history," CNN reported.

During the conversation, Musk said that he is "glad to see" that people are "taking AI seriously" and delved into predictions about the technology, many of which he admitted are "fairly utopian," such as envisioning a future where AI allows for an "age of abundance" with "no shortage of goods and services."

Also, no jobs.

"You can have a job if you wanted to have a job for personal satisfaction," Musk said, per CNBC. "But the AI would be able to do everything."

Still, he didn't ignore AI's potential for harm, which has also been orbiting the AI conversation across the globe. In May, the nonprofit Center for AI Safety issued a statement that AI should be a global priority alongside other risks of scale "such as pandemics and nuclear war." Last week, the White House issued an executive order outlining crucial regulations and rules regarding AI, aiming to set standards for safety, security, and privacy as it pertains to the technology.

"AI will be a force for good most likely," Musk said. "But the probability of it going bad is not zero percent."

Related: Elon Musk Is Reportedly Recruiting a Team to Build a Less 'Woke' ChatGPT Rival

Musk also compared AI's potential to a "magic genie problem."

"Where if you have a magic genie that can grant all the wishes, usually those stories don't end well," the tech CEO said. "One of the challenges in the future will be how do we find meaning in life if you have a magic genie that can do everything you want."

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Franchise 500 Annual Ranking

50 Franchise CMOs Who Are Changing the Game

Get to know the industry's most influential marketing power players.

Thought Leaders

6 Tips From a Clean Beauty Entrepreneur

Sarah Biggers went from a newbie in the natural beauty space to a pro in just a few years. Here are six things she wishes she'd known at the beginning.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.