Elon Musk Welcomes China's Participation in AI Safety, Hopes US and UK Are Also Aligned

Elon MUsk when interviewed by Rishi Sunak (photo: twitter @elonmusk)

JAKARTA - Billionaire Elon Musk welcomes China's involvement in artificial intelligence safety. He also said that he would like to see Beijing align with Britain and the United States on that matter. This was revealed in his speech in London on Thursday, November 2, with the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Rishi Sunak.

Musk supported China's inclusion in the first AI Safety Summit, held at Bletchley Park, England, and has pulled leading companies and countries together to agree initial steps on how to manage the risks of the latest AI models.

"If the United States, Britain and China are on the same page when it comes to safety, then that would be a good thing, because that's where the general leadership is," said Musk, quoted by VOI from Reuters.

Musk, who in May was given top-ranking treatment during a visit to China, welcomed Beijing's participation in AI safety talks at the event.

AI discussion with @RishiSunak

pic.twitter.com/f5FHGQzE4r

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2023

"In my opinion, their presence here is very important. If they are not participants, it is in vain," he said.

Sunak interviewed Musk, considered Britain's star guest at the two-day summit, on a small stage in a gilded room at London's Lancaster House. It is one of the British government's most luxurious residences, often used for diplomatic functions.

A self-described tech lover, Sunak said he felt "honored and excited" to host Musk and used the opportunity to make a not-so-subtle investment call as the Tesla  and SpaceX founder said startups needed high rewards to take risks in the sector.

"We absolutely have a tax system that supports that," Sunak said.

The eclectic discussion took place in front of an invited audience, including dozens of other business leaders, as the final event in a two-day summit billed as a major step forward in harnessing AI for good by starting to think about the serious risks it might pose.

Musk and Sunak agreed on the possible need for a physical "off switch" to prevent robots from running dangerously out of control, citing "The Terminator" film franchise and other science fiction films.

"All films with the same plot basically end with the guy turning it off," Sunak said. He also added that the importance of a physical off switch had been part of the summit discussion earlier in the day.

Musk told Sunak he considered AI to be “the most disruptive force in history”. He also speculates that this technology will be able to "do it all" and make work as we know it today obsolete.

"I don't know if that makes people comfortable or not," Musk said. "That's both good and bad. One of the challenges of the future is going to be, how do we find meaning in life if you have a magical genie who can do everything you want?"