Elon Musk sees AI surpassing human capabilities within five years

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said AI is progressing at such a rapid pace that it is likely to outperform humans.

SAN FRANCISCO: Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) will surpass the combined intelligence of all humans within the next five years, warning that the technology’s rapid advancement could make it increasingly difficult to control.

Speaking in an interview, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said AI is progressing at such a rapid pace that it is likely to outperform humans in nearly every task within the next five years.

He cautioned that humanity could struggle to maintain control over advanced AI systems during the coming decade.

Despite acknowledging the potential risks, Musk said AI also has the capacity to usher in an era of unprecedented prosperity.

He said the technology could provide people with extraordinary access to resources and opportunities while helping reduce the likelihood of global conflicts.

Musk stressed that governments alone should not bear responsibility for AI safety. Instead, he urged leading AI companies to work together regularly on security and safety issues, rather than relying solely on regulation.

He also proposed that major AI developers evaluate one another’s models before they are publicly released to identify serious risks, emphasizing that close cooperation among AI companies is essential as the technology continues to evolve rapidly.