Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, issued a stark warning about the future of employment, predicting that artificial intelligence (AI) will eventually render all human jobs obsolete. Speaking at the Viva Tech event in Paris via webcam, Musk asserted, “Probably none of us will have a job,” as reported by CNN.
The future of jobs: Optional and hobby-like
Addressing the tech community remotely, Musk envisioned a future where employment is optional. “If you want to do a job that’s kind of like a hobby, you can do a job,” he said. He elaborated that AI and robots would fulfill all needs for goods and services, allowing people to work only if they chose to.
Universal high income: Musk’s vision
For this AI-driven future to be successful, Musk emphasized the necessity of a “universal high income.” While he did not provide detailed plans, he distinguished this concept from universal basic income (UBI), where the government provides a fixed income to everyone regardless of their employment status.
“There would be no shortage of goods or services,” Musk stated, underscoring the rapid advancements in AI technology and the ongoing challenges for regulators, companies, and users in managing this technology responsibly.
Musk reiterated his longstanding apprehensions about AI, describing it as his “biggest fear.” He referenced the “Culture Book Series” by Ian Banks, a utopian vision of a society governed by advanced AI, as the most accurate depiction of a future dominated by intelligent machines.
The search for meaning in an AI-dominated world
Musk questioned the emotional and existential implications of a jobless future. “The question will be one of meaning – if the computer and robots can do everything better than you, does your life have meaning?” he pondered. However, he suggested that humans might still play a crucial role by imparting meaning to AI.
In a broader societal context, Musk advised parents to limit their children’s social media usage, noting that these platforms are often driven by “dopamine-maximizing AI,” which can be detrimental to young minds.
Despite Musk’s alarming predictions, industry experts remain cautious. Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab reported in January that AI adoption in workplaces has been slower than anticipated. Jobs previously thought to be at high risk of automation were not as economically viable for employers to automate.
Experts agree that roles 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. As AI continues to evolve, the challenge remains in balancing technological advancements with the preservation of meaningful human employment.