Elon Musk has made a bold prediction about the future of artificial intelligence, stating that AI will eventually take over all jobs. Speaking remotely via webcam at the VivaTech 2024 conference in Paris on Thursday, Musk outlined a future where traditional employment might become obsolete.
“Probably none of us will have a job,” Musk said, envisioning a scenario where jobs become “optional.”
“If you want to do a job that’s kinda like a hobby, you can do a job,” Musk continued. “But otherwise, AI and the robots will provide any goods and services that you want.”
To support this vision, Musk mentioned the need for a “universal high income,” although he did not elaborate on how it would differ from universal basic income (UBI), where the government provides a fixed amount of money to everyone regardless of their earnings.
“There would be no shortage of goods or services,” he added.
AI’s Rapid Advancement and Impact on Jobs
AI capabilities have advanced rapidly over recent years, leaving regulators, companies, and consumers grappling with how to use the technology responsibly. Concerns persist about the future of various industries and jobs as AI becomes more prevalent.
However, a January report from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab found that workplaces are adopting AI more slowly than some had anticipated. The report noted that many jobs previously deemed vulnerable to AI automation were not economically viable for employers to automate at that time.
Experts generally agree that jobs requiring high emotional intelligence and human interaction, such as those in mental health, creative fields, and education, are less likely to be replaced by AI.
Musk’s Concerns and Vision
Musk has been vocal about his concerns regarding AI. During his keynote, he identified AI as his biggest fear and referenced the “Culture Book Series” by Iain M. Banks, a utopian vision of a society governed by advanced technology, as the most realistic depiction of a future with AI.
Despite the potential for a job-free future, Musk questioned whether people would find emotional fulfillment in such a world.
“The question will really be one of meaning – if the computer and robots can do everything better than you, does your life have meaning?” he pondered. “I do think there’s perhaps still a role for humans in this – in that we may give AI meaning.”
Additionally, Musk urged parents to limit their children’s exposure to social media, warning that they are being influenced by “dopamine-maximizing AI.”
Musk’s comments highlight both the potential and challenges of an AI-driven future, emphasizing the need for thoughtful consideration of the social and economic impacts of rapidly advancing technology.