Elon Musk predicted that humans are unlikely to remain in control within the next decade as artificial intelligence and robotics rapidly become more capable, though the billionaire presented an overwhelmingly optimistic vision of the technology’s future.
Musk made the prediction during a recent interview with The Economist Editor-in-Chief Zanny Minton Beddoes, where he suggested AI could surpass the combined intelligence of humanity within approximately five years.
“I think AI might exceed the sum of human intelligence in around five years,” Musk said.
“There really won’t be anything AI won’t be able to do better than humans, apart from being human, perhaps,” he added.
Musk, 55, has spent years warning about the potentially transformative consequences of increasingly powerful artificial intelligence while simultaneously investing heavily in the technology.
Despite acknowledging potentially serious risks, Musk said he believes the most probable outcome of the AI revolution is dramatically improved living standards.
“The most likely outcome is an age of amazing abundance where anyone can have anything they can think of,” Musk said.
He noted that a major global conflict could disrupt that trajectory.
“Assuming there is not World War III, I think we’re headed for an age of amazing abundance,” Musk said. “So this is a message of optimism and excitement about the future.”
Beddoes then pressed Musk on one of the more consequential implications of his prediction.
“You’re sure that humans will no longer be in control in 10 years time?” she asked.
“I think it’s unlikely,” Musk responded, indicating that he believes it is unlikely humans will remain in control as AI capabilities continue expanding.
Musk’s remarks come amid an accelerating global race to develop increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence systems capable of performing tasks traditionally requiring human workers.
The billionaire has substantial business interests in both AI and robotics.
His electric vehicle company, Tesla, has been developing its Optimus humanoid robot, which Musk has predicted could eventually perform a wide variety of physical tasks.
Musk also founded artificial intelligence company xAI, which develops the Grok chatbot and competes with other major AI companies seeking to build increasingly capable systems.
During his interview, Musk acknowledged concerns that increasingly advanced AI and robots could ultimately pose a danger to humanity.
However, he suggested that the technology has accumulated so much momentum that stopping its development may no longer be realistic.
“I can’t see any way to really stop this incredible momentum of AI and robots,” Musk said.
He went further, saying that even if humanity theoretically possessed a mechanism capable of stopping AI development, he was not convinced it should be used.
“And at times I sort of think, well, perhaps, you know, even if there was a stop button, we probably shouldn’t press it because the most likely outcome is incredible abundance for all,” Musk said.
The comments reflect the complicated position Musk has taken toward artificial intelligence.
He has repeatedly warned that poorly controlled AI could create serious risks while also arguing that the technology could usher in unprecedented economic prosperity.
Musk has previously predicted that advances in AI and robotics could eventually make conventional employment optional and dramatically change the importance of money and traditional retirement planning.
His latest timeline suggests those changes could arrive considerably sooner than many people anticipate.
If AI exceeds the combined intelligence of humans within approximately five years, as Musk predicted, the technological landscape by the middle of the next decade could bear little resemblance to the current one.
Musk ultimately characterized the transformation as something that may be impossible for any individual — including himself — to halt.
His approach, he said, is now to embrace what comes next.
“Let’s enjoy the ride,” Musk said, adding that “even if I wanted to stop it, I couldn’t.”
