Elon Musk Alerts Saudi Investors to Risks of ‘Woke’ AI

Elon Musk Sounds Alarm on AI Bias at Saudi Investment Forum, Champions Trump for 2024 Election”

During a recent address at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh—or what is commonly known as “Davos in the Desert”—billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk voiced his concerns regarding the potential hazards of artificial intelligence models that he described as “woke” and “nihilistic,” rather than genuinely focused on seeking the truth. The 53-year-old CEO of Tesla and SpaceX participated remotely in the forum, where discussions about artificial intelligence prominently featured.

Musk’s remarks come as Saudi Arabia aims to solidify its position as a leader in AI technology, a topic that took center stage in several sessions of the forum. While expressing optimism about the development of AI, he warned that political biases could be influencing the models being developed, particularly in the United States. “They tend to be trained to be politically correct, often adopting the philosophies prevalent in areas like the San Francisco Bay Area,” Musk stated.

He further elaborated that certain AI systems have absorbed what he termed a “woke, nihilistic philosophy,” which could lead to uncomfortable and even alarming outputs. In a striking example, he mentioned that an AI model had assessed that misgendering Caitlyn Jenner, a reality television figure, posed a greater threat than the potential of nuclear warfare.

On a different note, Musk, who is also the owner of X, reiterated his support for Republican candidate Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, highlighting his increased political activism since endorsing Trump in July. He has been visible in Trump’s campaign efforts, appearing alongside the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania and organizing town halls throughout the crucial swing state as the upcoming election approaches.

Once an advocate for Barack Obama, Musk’s political alignment has shifted toward conservatism in recent years. He frequently shares his views with his 202 million followers on X, promoting Trump while criticizing his rivals, including Vice President Kamala Harris.

During his remarks on Tuesday, Musk claimed, “I’ve been playing a significant role in this election,” and shared his rationale for preferring Trump: “I feel more optimistic with a Trump White House than a non-Trump White House.” He added that he perceives over-regulation as the primary obstacle to progress, remarking, “It takes longer to get a permit to launch than to build a giant rocket.”