Elon Musk said jobs are likely to evolve as advanced technology takes over tasks once performed by people, while briefly using the term “AI” before correcting himself to the White House’s newly adopted “SI” terminology.
The exchange took place at a White House event on September 29, where US President Donald Trump met Musk and other technology executives to discuss the future of advanced technology and signed a voluntary agreement on safeguards.
When reporters asked about the impact of the technology on future employment, Trump invited Musk to respond. Musk initially said, “I think it’s worth highlighting the positive benefits of AI” before quickly adding, “SI, pardon me.”
Musk then continued using “Super Intelligence” as he discussed how technology could change work. He said the likely long-term outcome could be an “age of abundance” and argued that jobs have historically changed as technology has developed.
“When you have robots and you have superintelligence, it means that everyone in the world can have better medical care than anyone here, including me. And wouldn’t that be wonderful? Not if they haven’t got a job. Well, jobs are going to change. Jobs have always changed,” Musk said.
He compared the shift to the development of digital computers, noting that people once worked as human “computers” performing calculations.
“Now, digital computers do those tasks. And I don’t think anyone is pining to go back and do calculations all day, to do bank interest rates, which is what they used to do. So, I think we’ll see an evolution of roles,” he added.
The comments came after Trump announced a change in terminology, with the administration referring to artificial intelligence as “Super Intelligence”, or “SI”. The White House has begun using the new term in official discussions and communications.
The White House meeting included executives from major technology companies, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
The companies also signed a voluntary White House accord focused on safeguards for the development and deployment of advanced AI systems. The agreement calls for internal controls, independent external assessments and board-level oversight of safety measures.
The discussion placed employment alongside broader questions about how increasingly capable technology could affect businesses, workers and society.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.