Elon Musk: Will AI Be Good for Humanity?

Elon Musk is not afraid to confront important questions. Especially during the live stream of the launch of xAI, which he described as "the smartest artificial intelligence in the world." In this broadcast, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX not only introduced artificial intelligence but also questioned whether this technology could destroy humanity. Musk managed to present the situation in a way that would make those wanting to watch it front and center.

Musk asked, "Is this going to be bad or good for humanity?" and responded to his own question: "I think it's going to be good. Probably good." However, he did not stop there. In his own unique facial expression while making this comment, he said, "Even if it's going to be bad, I'll be happy to witness it." In other words, even if artificial intelligence were to destroy us, he would still prefer to be there.

This corporate, nihilistic optimism was not just a joke; it was part of a broader discussion about what it means for artificial intelligence to become smarter than humans. Musk said, "Grok 4 is smarter than almost all graduates in every academic discipline." "This is the smartest artificial intelligence in the world." This claim seemed definitive.

However, this certainty came with a Musk-like discomfort. "Creating an intelligence that is much greater than our own is a bit unsettling," he said, drawing attention to the quiet fear behind major advancements in artificial intelligence. After all, this is not just about making chatbots better; it was about machines becoming more capable than the humans who created them.

Musk criticized the concept of the human economy, suggesting that in the future, it might appear quite outdated. "The true meaning of the human economy — if civilization continues to progress — will look very strange when we look back," he said. He compared this situation to primitive people throwing sticks into a fire. In his view, the world is currently at that point.

So, where does this situation lead us? If Musk is right, artificial intelligence will not just be a tool for efficiency; it could bring an end to work life. And yet, Musk still seems to be in a strange excitement. This man, who once stated that artificial intelligence posed a "fundamental existential threat" to human civilization, now appears to be at peace with whatever comes. Maybe it will be good. Maybe it won't. But he wants to see it.