During a conversation with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the UK’s first AI Safety Summit, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk declared artificial intelligence “one of the most disruptive forces in history.” The dialogue, which delved into the promises and perils of AI, took place at Lancaster House in central London, a venue often used for diplomatic purposes. Musk and Sunak conducted the interview-style chat before opening the floor to questions from journalists, and the conversation was later made available for streaming on Musk’s account on X, the social media platform he owns.
Musk, who was present throughout the two-day event at Bletchley Park, where the Allied Forces codebreaking program was headquartered during World War II, shared the stage with notable figures such as US Vice President Kamala Harris and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The summit also saw the participation of Chinese officials, reflecting the global significance of AI.
Elon Musk emphasized the potential for AI to be a positive force, stating, “AI will be a force for good most likely.” However, he also acknowledged that the probability of AI going awry is not negligible, underscoring the importance of safety precautions.
Expressing his appreciation for the summit, Musk commended the growing awareness of the significance of AI, suggesting that the event would be remembered as an essential milestone in AI discussions. Musk further provided insights into his predictions for AI, envisioning a future where jobs might become obsolete, and AI companionship could evolve into one of the highest forms of human connection.
Rishi Sunak, who has been in office for just over a year, has played a role in restoring stability to British politics. However, his elite background, including education at prestigious institutions like Winchester College, Oxford, and Stanford universities, has raised questions. Before entering politics, he had a career in the financial sector, working for institutions such as Goldman Sachs.
The inaugural AI Safety Summit in the UK witnessed a significant milestone as more than 25 countries and the European Union signed the Bletchley Declaration on its first day. This declaration signifies a commitment to collaborate on establishing a unified approach to overseeing the deployment of AI technology in a “human-centric, trustworthy, and responsible” manner, emphasizing the need to address the potential for severe, even catastrophic, harm, a concern shared by many leaders in the tech industry.
