Tesla has been committed to developing AI and robotic products and services. That is why CEO Elon Musk’s recent statement has been jarring for many people.
The billionaire made a grand prediction during Tesla’s Investor Day: “humanoid robots could eventually outnumber humans.”
“I think we might exceed a one-to-one ratio of humanoid robots to humans. It’s not even clear what an economy is at that point.”
What are the potential reasons behind Elon Musk’s AI claims?
Machines have been replacing people since the 1800s during the Industrial Revolution. That period saw the rise of automated factories and a mass exodus of jobs within.
Businesses realized years ago that machines could work tirelessly and produce more output than humans. Nowadays, we can also blame the coronavirus pandemic.
Countries required their citizens to stay indoors to prevent the spread of the virus. Consequently, factory workers struggled to attend work.
Brad Bennett, the senior vice president of global operations at Closure Systems International Inc., admitted that his plant adapted by relying more on robots.
“During COVID, we were literally running with 30% of the plant down because we couldn’t get a $15-an-hour guy to show up,” he said.
Look at the recent data, and it would seem like a growing worldwide trend.
Reuters reported that companies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico ordered over 44,100 robots in 2022.
That is an 11% uptick over the previous year and sets a new record. Moreover, recent innovations in artificial intelligence have accelerated the trend further.
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna recently stated that AI would likely replace white-collar clerical jobs. These roles usually involve wearing a white collared shirt, hence the name.
Examples of white-collar jobs include accountants, financial advisors, computer programmers, and lawyers.
In 2019, AI venture capitalist Kai-Fu Lee said the technology would replace 40% of white-collar and blue-collar jobs worldwide.
Musk is optimistic about his Tesla robots, wanting them to help households worldwide. Still, he admits the technology “stresses” him out.
“It’s quite dangerous technology. I fear I may have done some things to accelerate it, “ Musk said.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s AI fears may seem strange since his company continues to develop AI and robots. Yet, halting technological progress is impossible and detrimental to humanity.
If Musk doesn’t proceed with these advancements, other people will. For example, AI legal assistants aren’t prevalent worldwide, but China’s legal system uses them.
Instead, we should focus on directing innovation toward improving daily life. Find out how tech can bring positive change in your life by following the latest trends at Inquirer Tech.