Elon Musk has recently made a bold forecast regarding AI’s impact on the workplace, leaving many feeling anxious.
As technology progresses, the notion of a robot takeover seems less outlandish, and there is a genuine chance that artificial intelligence might significantly transform our lives within a few years.
During a conversation with investor and entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, Musk reinforced these concerns by stating that AI is on the verge of dominating the workplace.
Musk is not alone in speculating about AI’s potential to replace human capabilities in various aspects.
A specialist recently appeared on the Diary of a CEO podcast, discussing assorted AI types and noting that while the timeline for advanced AI to rival human abilities is uncertain, it is undoubtedly in development.
Speaking with Kamath, Musk mentioned: “I think it will actually be that people don’t have to work at all,” the founder of SpaceX and x.AI Corp, aged 54, remarked. “And it may not be that far in the future.
“Maybe only, I don’t know, 10 – I’d say less than 20 years.
“My prediction is that in less than 20 years working will be optional, working at all will be optional, like a hobby pretty much.”
Kamath inquired: “And that would be because of increased productivity meaning people do not have to work?”
Musk responded: “They don’t have to. Look, obviously, people can play this back in 20 years and say, ‘Look, Elon made this ridiculous prediction and it’s not true,’ but I think it will turn out to be true that in less than 20 years, maybe even in as little as 10 or 15 years, the advancements in AI and in robotics will bring us to the point where working is optional in the same way that you can grow your own vegetables in your garden, or you can go to the store and buy vegetables.”
He further explained: “It’s much harder to grow your own vegetables, but some people like doing that which is fine. But it’ll be optional in that way, is my prediction.”
This astonishing revelation has resonated with numerous viewers who are not particularly enthusiastic about the idea.
“Removing purpose from people’s life will be the destruction of society,” one person commented on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another added: “This is not good for humanity. Work is holy. Work brings purpose and accomplishment.”
A third individual noted that if Musk’s prediction holds true, humanity will face significant challenges in adapting.
“If this is accurate, the transition period will be ugly, mass unemployment, poverty, social unrest, then when everything settles into the new normal – it may be like Elon says, but there’s going to have to be a transition time,” they stated. “Scary. Stack ammo, water, provisions.”
A fourth voice remarked: “We already have plenty of people who treat work as optional and they haven’t contributed to ground-breaking discoveries in science or written the next great American novel or composed any new symphonies or painted any new masterpieces.
“This will be a disaster. Universe 25.”
However, some individuals remain optimistic about a future with AI in control, as one expressed: “Imagine a world where work is optional and passion projects take center stage. AI might just make that dream real sooner than we think.”