Elon Musk started off his Labor Day in dark mood. In the wee hours of the morning he tweeted a link to an article by The Verge, "Putin Says the Nation That Leads in AI 'Will Be the Ruler of the World.'" He then had a run of depressing tweets, saying that World War III would not be caused by North Korea – in fact he thinks North Korea "should be low on our list of concerns for civilizational existential risk." Instead, AI – and not a leader of any country – will most likely pull the trigger.
Here are his tweets, but you may want to start your BBQ and guzzle your beer before reading further.
China, Russia, soon all countries w strong computer science. Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause of WW3 imo.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2017
May be initiated not by the country leaders, but one of the AI's, if it decides that a prepemptive strike is most probable path to victory
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2017
NK launching a nuclear missile would be suicide for their leadership, as SK, US and China wd invade and end the regime immediately
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2017
Should be low on our list of concerns for civilizational existential risk. NK has no entangling alliances that wd polarize world into war.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2017
Govts don't need to follow normal laws. They will obtain AI developed by companies at gunpoint, if necessary.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2017
Finally someone calls him out on his dark mood, and he admits it's not a good way to start the day.
Sorry about that. You're right. I was depressing myself too :(
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2017
Image: OnInnovation
