Elon Musk Backs AI Regulation, But Offers Only Vague Solutions

pcmag.com:

Elon Musk today called for AI regulation to minimize the risk of a "potentially catastrophic outcome," but the Tesla and SpaceX CEO was light on details

During a live Twitter Spaces event at the Viva Technology(Opens in a new window) conference, Musk dodged questions about specific AI regulations he'd want lawmakers to pursue, and instead focused on AI's importance to his businesses, such as Tesla self-driving technology. The Autopilot system relies on AI, and Musk has said that Tesla's valuation is "basically zero" if it does not succeed.

“We could have a potentially catastrophic outcome," Musk said. "The most likely outcome [for AI] is positive, but we need to minimize the possibility that something could go wrong with digital superintelligence. I’m in favor of AI regulation because...advanced AI is [a] risk to the public."

In response to an audience question about specific regulations he'd support, Musk said only that "there should be regulatory insight into LLMs," referring to large language models like ChatGPT.

The EU this week became the first major government body to advance comprehensive AI legislation when the European Parliament passed the AI Act, which outlines a regulatory process for vetting and monitoring AI systems that could endanger the public (like Autopilot, potentially) and infringe on personal freedoms and privacy. It's just a first step, though, and here in the US, a divided Congress means any meaningful action is unlikely.

Musk today argued that "AI is probably the most disruptive technology ever," and quipped that he'd want to be alive to witness "some AI apocalypse...but hopefully not cause it."

Earlier this year, Musk urged a slowdown on AI advances. He and Steve Wozniak, alongside other