Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg Feud Over Artificial Intelligence

The Facebook founder doesn't fully grasp the AI threat in the future, Musk says.

July 25, 2017 10:41 am
elon musk
(David McNew/AFP/Getty Images)

It’s a brain battle between two tech titans.

Elon Musk is publicly feuding with Mark Zuckerberg over their views on artificial intelligence. The Tesla CEO, who’s apprehensive about advanced AI, said the Facebook founder’s knowledge of AI was “limited” in a tweet on Tuesday morning.

Recently, Musk said politicians should regulate artificial intelligence “before it was too late.” The billionaire frequently espoused his skeptical views on AI, warning the technology could become a danger to humanity if it advances beyond human control—which he believes is likely.

On Sunday, the Facebook founder shared his take on Musk’s perspective, calling it “pretty irresponsible.” Zuckerberg admitted he didn’t understand why people were drumming up “doomsday scenarios,” dismissing the negative views, according to CNBC. “In the next five to 10 years, AI is going to deliver so many improvements in the quality of our lives,” he said during a Facebook Live interview.

The public spat reveals the division within Silicon Valley about the future of cognitive systems. Some, like Zuckerberg and those at Google, feel it will herald in a new era of technology. While AI-pessimists like Musk warn that it will cause economic devastation, and maybe even war.

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