Elon Musk took the stage once again at VivaTech, the Parisian tech event currently in full swing. This year, instead of attending in person as he did last year, Musk opted for a video conference. During the hour-long session, he engaged in a conversation with Maurice Lévy, the event’s founder, and answered questions from the audience, who were limited to 15-second inquiries.
One of the key topics that grabbed attention was Musk’s views on artificial intelligence. He expressed concerns about generative AIs deviating from the truth to adhere to political correctness and emphasized the importance of training AI to be honest and accurate. He also criticized Google’s Gemini AI for prioritizing non-discrimination over accuracy and reiterated his commitment to developing precise artificial intelligence, even if it means being unpopular. Despite acknowledging that xAI is not yet on par with industry giants like OpenAI or Google, Musk expressed confidence in its future competitiveness and emphasized the significance of safety once it becomes a significant player in the AI field. Reports suggest that xAI is close to securing fundraising that would value the company at around 18-20 billion dollars.
The video conference did encounter technical difficulties, with Musk experiencing a brief connection drop that left the audience waiting for over three minutes. However, he quickly returned to resume the session with his usual enthusiasm. The virtual speech at VivaTech 2024 provided insight into his thoughts on artificial intelligence and future xAI projects. He also expressed concerns about the impact of social media on children and emphasized the need for parents to limit their use. On the topic of brain implants, Musk highlighted the potential for technology like Neuralink to help individuals regain mobility in limbs. He also commented on his avoidance of media coverage about himself, citing the media’s focus on clicks over truth.
Overall, Musk’s participation at VivaTech offered a glimpse into his vision for
