Vinod Khosla has no doubt that the future of humanity through AI is bright.
The Sun Microsystems co-founder turned high-profile investor predicts that “the need to work will disappear” almost entirely thanks to AI.
“Almost any expertise, whether it’s primary care physicians, mental health therapists, oncologists, structural engineers or accountants – it can all be almost free,” he said. -he declared Monday during a conversation with the editor of TechCrunch. -in-chief Connie Loizos at the annual TechCrunch Disrupt conference.
When asked why he was so optimistic about an AI-driven future, Khosla said the world where most human labor is free will experience “great abundance,” adding that GDP growth will pass from “2% to well over 5%”.
Because many people fear that AI could harm society, Khosla recently wrote an essay titled: AI: Dystopia or Utopia?
On stage today, he summarized some points from the 13,150-word essay.
Despite his optimism, Khosla acknowledged the potential risks of AI.
“We could have a sentient AI try to kill humanity,” he said, adding that AI safety needs to be addressed, even though he fiercely disagreed with the bill California on AI, SB 1047, which has now been vetoed.
However, Khosla’s biggest concern is his US rivals’ use of AI.
“Overall, the biggest risk we face is strong AI in the hands of our adversaries,” he said. “I think especially of President Xi and Putin.”
For months, Khosla has opposed open source AI, citing concerns about its possible exploitation by China.
Aside from fears that adversaries could weaponize AI, Khosla said the technology could eventually lead to increased income inequality.
The venture capitalist, a supporter of universal basic income and income redistribution, said: “Capitalism tends to concentrate wealth, so we need to have a policy to equalize it so everyone has an interest. »
Khosla was optimistic about AI long before the technology’s recent breakthroughs. He explained that his 2018 investment in OpenAI “was an easy decision to make,” although what the company was building was still somewhat ambiguous.
Khosla Ventures was one of OpenAI’s first institutional investors. The company’s initial $50 million check gave it a 5% stake in the company, now valued at $157 billion.