Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk has predicted that artificial intelligence will surpass the combined intelligence of all humans within five years, while warning that humanity may struggle to keep the technology under control in the coming decade.
Web Desk – International Desk: Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has said he believes artificial intelligence is advancing so rapidly that it will overtake the combined intelligence of all humans within the next five years.
Speaking in a recent interview, Musk warned that as AI capabilities continue to grow, humanity could face significant difficulty keeping the technology under control over the coming decade. He said AI is progressing at a pace that will allow it to outperform people at nearly every task within five years.
Despite acknowledging concerns over the risks posed by AI, Musk expressed optimism that the technology could usher in an era of unprecedented prosperity. He suggested AI could open the door to a future in which people gain extraordinary access to resources and opportunities, while also helping the world avoid global conflicts.
However, Musk tempered this optimistic outlook with a stark warning: he cautioned that humanity’s control over the technology would not hold within the next decade, as increasingly advanced AI systems gradually move far beyond human oversight.
He stressed the need to prepare for highly advanced AI systems and to take proactive steps to guard against potential risks. Musk argued that major AI companies should engage in frequent dialogue on safety and security issues rather than relying solely on government regulation to manage the technology’s risks.
He further suggested that AI developers should analyse each other’s models before releasing them publicly, in order to identify and flag any serious risks in advance. Musk emphasised that cooperation between leading AI companies has become essential, particularly given the extraordinarily rapid pace at which the technology is evolving.
Musk’s remarks add to a growing global debate over how to balance the transformative potential of artificial intelligence with the risks associated with systems that could soon exceed human capabilities across the board. His comments echo previous warnings from AI researchers and industry figures who have called for stronger safety frameworks as the technology advances.
