San Francisco, CA In a revealing excerpt from the forthcoming biography “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson, it has been disclosed that Elon Musk once attempted to thwart Google’s acquisition of DeepMind in 2014. Musk’s concerns centered on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and the potential control of this powerful technology by Larry Page, Google’s co-founder at the time. Here’s a breakdown of the key events and insights from this revelation:
A clash of visions on AI’s future
At Elon Musk’s 2013 birthday celebration in Napa Valley, California, a pivotal conversation took place between Musk and Larry Page. The discussion revolved around the role of AI in shaping humanity’s future. Page labeled Musk as a “specist,” someone who prioritizes their own species, while Musk staunchly defended his viewpoint, emphasizing his pro-human stance.
Musk firmly asserted, “Well, yes, I am pro-human, I f-cking like humanity, dude.” In contrast, Page believed that the distinction between humans and machines was less significant, suggesting that machines could represent the next stage of evolution if they surpassed human intelligence.
Musk’s bid to halt google’s acquisition of deepMind
Elon Musk’s reservations about Larry Page’s influence on the future of AI led him to take action. In 2013, he approached Demis Hassabis, co-founder of DeepMind, attempting to dissuade him from accepting Google’s acquisition offer. Musk expressed his belief that the future of AI should not be controlled by Larry Page.
Musk went to great lengths, even exploring the possibility of assembling financing alongside Luke Nosek, co-founder of PayPal, to acquire DeepMind himself. However, despite Musk’s efforts, Google ultimately announced its acquisition of DeepMind in 2014 for a substantial sum of $500 million.
The birth of OpenAI and Musk’s ongoing concerns
Musk’s divergence of views on AI with Larry Page played a pivotal role in his decision to co-found OpenAI in 2015. OpenAI was established with a mission to ensure the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence. However, Musk stepped down from OpenAI’s board in 2018 and has since been critical of the organization.
Subsequently, Musk launched his own AI startup, xAI, as he continued to explore his interests in the field. Larry Page, on the other hand, remained a board member and controlling shareholder of Google’s parent company, Alphabet.
Broader concerns about AI’s impact on humanity
Elon Musk’s concerns about the potential risks posed by AI are not unique. Prominent figures in the tech industry, including Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, have also expressed apprehensions regarding the implications of AI for humanity.
However, it’s worth noting that there are differing viewpoints on this issue. Some AI experts argue that the focus on hypothetical risks can overshadow the very real challenges and harms posed by AI technologies today.
Lingering questions and perspectives
As this revelation emerges, it raises questions about the pivotal role of influential tech figures in shaping the trajectory of AI development and deployment. Elon Musk’s efforts to influence the direction of AI technology reflect the profound impact of AI on society and the quest to ensure its responsible use.
Notably, Elon Musk, Larry Page, and Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this revelation. However, as the field of AI continues to evolve, discussions surrounding ethics, governance, and control will likely persist.
Elon Musk’s attempt to halt Google’s acquisition of DeepMind in 2014, driven by concerns over the future of AI and Larry Page’s role, sheds light on the complex dynamics surrounding the development of artificial intelligence. The clash of visions between Musk and Page at Musk’s birthday celebration served as a catalyst for Musk’s involvement in AI initiatives, including co-founding OpenAI. While Musk’s efforts did not prevent the DeepMind acquisition, they underscore the ongoing debate about AI’s impact on humanity and the need for responsible AI development.
