Elon Musk Issues Warning about 'Humanoid Robots' in AI 'Age of Abundance'

Musk was speaking during a conversation with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the end of a world-first AI summit in the UK. Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL/AFP
Musk was speaking during a conversation with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the end of a world-first AI summit in the UK. Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL/AFP
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Elon Musk Issues Warning about 'Humanoid Robots' in AI 'Age of Abundance'

Musk was speaking during a conversation with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the end of a world-first AI summit in the UK. Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL/AFP
Musk was speaking during a conversation with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the end of a world-first AI summit in the UK. Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL/AFP

The owner of X Elon Musk on Thursday predicted the future with AI would be an "age of abundance" with a "universal high income" instead of a universal basic income but warned of "humanoid robots" that might chase humans.

Musk was speaking during a conversation with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak following a world-first AI summit at Bletchley Park in the UK, said AFP.

The SpaceX and Tesla CEO said there would come a point when "no job is needed" in the one-to-one with Sunak which was held later in London.

Jobs instead would be just for those who wanted one for "personal satisfaction".

AI was like "a magic genie" that gives you any wishes you want, Musk added, quipping however that those fairy tales rarely end well.

"One of the future challenges is how do you find meaning in life?" he said.

Musk cautioned that "we should be quite concerned" about humanoid robots that "can follow you anywhere".

The tech billionaire stressed the importance of having a physical off switch.

"A humanoid robot can basically chase you anywhere," he said.

"It's something we should be quite concerned about. If a robot can follow you anywhere, what if they get a software update one day, and they're not so friendly any more?"

Sunak responded that "we've all watched" movies about robots that end with the machines being switched off.

The two-day gathering at Bletchley wrapped up Thursday with Western governments and companies involved in so-called next generation "frontier" AI agreeing a new safety testing regime.



Royal Commission for AlUla Partners with Google Cloud to Train Over 3,000 Community Members

RCU will invite more than 3,000 participants from AlUla to enroll in specialized courses designed to enhance their knowledge and expertise in key areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and other digital fields - SPA
RCU will invite more than 3,000 participants from AlUla to enroll in specialized courses designed to enhance their knowledge and expertise in key areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and other digital fields - SPA
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Royal Commission for AlUla Partners with Google Cloud to Train Over 3,000 Community Members

RCU will invite more than 3,000 participants from AlUla to enroll in specialized courses designed to enhance their knowledge and expertise in key areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and other digital fields - SPA
RCU will invite more than 3,000 participants from AlUla to enroll in specialized courses designed to enhance their knowledge and expertise in key areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and other digital fields - SPA

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed a collaboration agreement with Google Cloud, marking a significant step towards realizing its ambitious vision of transforming AlUla into a center for digital growth and innovation.
Announced at the Google Cloud Summit in Riyadh, the agreement will see the launch of AlUla Skills Lab (ASL), a key initiative aimed at equipping AlUla's residents with cutting-edge digital skills. This milestone underscores RCU's commitment to digital transformation and the enhancement of human capital in the region, SPA reported.
Through this initiative, RCU will invite more than 3,000 participants from AlUla to enroll in specialized courses designed to enhance their knowledge and expertise in key areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and other digital fields.
The training programs will be delivered both in-person and online, following three main tracks: foundational and professional digital skills, data and artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.
The AlUla Skills Lab will also welcome students, educators, and digital enthusiasts from AlUla, providing them with hands-on learning experiences through Google Cloud's suite of digital tools and services. Community members eager to develop their digital expertise and professional skills will have the opportunity to register for these courses, which are open to individuals with a strong interest in exploring the latest technological advancements and applications Google Cloud offers.
Through the ASL initiative, RCU seeks to ensure that the program aligns with its long-term goals for human capacity development. The collaboration also aims to establish an official Google Innovation Lab in AlUla, serving as a dedicated hub for community learning, innovation, and digital literacy.
Developing digital capabilities in AlUla is a fundamental pillar of RCU’s broader strategy, which focuses on expanding smart and digital services to improve the daily lives of residents, businesses, and investors. Enhancing digital skills within the local workforce will also contribute to the sustainable growth and economic diversification of Northwest Arabia and the Kingdom at large.