Part 5/14:
The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Society
Turning to AI, Musk conveys cautious optimism. He predicts that in a future with digital superintelligence, most jobs could become obsolete, and society might shift toward a form of universal high income rather than basic income. However, this raises existential questions about purpose and meaning in life.
He references Yen Banks' Culture series, envisioning a future where AI takes care of human happiness, allowing people to pursue leisure, arts, and sports. Nonetheless, Musk acknowledges this scenario could be benign only if humans are resilient enough to find purpose beyond their careers, especially as computers become capable of surpassing human intelligence.