As artificial intelligence advances rapidly towards one day potentially surpassing human capabilities, leaders in technology have emphasised the critical need for balanced regulatory measures.
While the potential of AI could bring significant benefits across industries, experts warn that unregulated growth may carry serious risks. Billionaire businessman and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk anticipated that, within the next couple of years, AI could perform any task a human can. He suggested AI could do what all humans can do collectively in about three more years, estimating this level could be reached by about 2029.
Mr Musk, who joined the Future Investment Initiative summit in Riyadh online on Tuesday, aligned with previous assessments by AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, noting that while there was a probability that AI developments will be beneficial, there were also chances of adverse outcomes. While AI is “most likely going to be great, there's some chance, which could be, 10 to 20 per cent, that it goes bad,” Mr Musk said during an interview at the FII.
Ultra-intelligent AI, or Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), is 10,000 times smarter than the human brain and will be available within eight years, said Masayoshi Son, chief executive of SoftBank.
“That's my definition of ASI, and that's coming in 2035,” he said during a fireside chat at the FII summit on Tuesday.
He said ASI would be significantly more impactful than Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), software that is humanlike in intelligence and thought capability.
“AGI definition is the same as a human brain,” said the head of the global investment holding company, which has its headquarters in Tokyo. "ASI’s future capabilities are still unknown and can be the source of great promise or global harm, depending on how it’s managed.”
The anticipated rise of ASI could fundamentally transform economies and societal foundations. This has prompted urgent calls for responsible oversight to ensure the technologies improve human welfare.
“If such a superpower comes and there's no regulation, it could be super dangerous," said Mr Son.
But Mr Musk argued that excessive regulation was stifling growth, particularly in the US, describing it as a "slow strangulation". He warned that, without efforts to reduce regulatory barriers, it could be nearly impossible to undertake large-scale projects in the future, stalling innovation and development.
“The bureaucracy in the US has been growing every year and has particularly grown under the Biden administration," he added.
Existential concerns
Mr Musk identified AI as a significant near-term existential threat, but considered global population decline to be an even greater concern over the longer term. He explained that, if current low birth rates continue, countries including South Korea could lose up to two thirds of their populations within a few generations, with Europe's potentially dropping by half.
He stressed that maintaining or increasing birth rates should be a critical priority for governments worldwide. “I think AI is a significant existential threat and something we should be paying close attention to," Mr Musk said. "It's probably the most significant near-term threat … but longer term than that is the global population collapse. Birth rates have been collapsing pretty much worldwide.
“If that [population decline] continues, you would see many countries become 5 per cent of their current size or less within three generations.”
In the past, Mr Musk, as well as AI researchers Nick Bostrom and Stephen Hawking, have highlighted concerns about highly intelligent AI systems making decisions that conflict with human welfare, or that act autonomously in ways that surpass human control.
Mr Musk also emphasised the significant energy demands required for digital intelligence and electric transport, predicting that solar energy will dominate future energy sources.
Value of the future
Mr Son discussed the perceived hype of an AI bubble, exemplified by semiconductor chip maker Nvidia’s third-quarter forecast in August underwhelming investors.
The US company said it expected revenue of $32.5 billion in the fourth quarter, plus or minus two per cent. Despite being above the average estimation of $32.5 billion next quarter, it did not meet the high expectations of investors, who expected a number closer to the $37.9 billion projection.
Looking at the current returns of the AI industry neglects the greater picture, which is more important, he said. “I think Nvidia is undervalued, because the future is much bigger," he added.
"The cumulative capex [capital expenditure] is $9 trillion," he said, adding that estimates will make up only about 5 per cent of GDP 10 years from now. "It's too much investment for many people's views. I say it's still a very reasonable capex," he said, given that it is expected to yield about $4 trillion in net income per year, according to his estimates.
"So $9 trillion is not too big, maybe too small," he added.
Advice for AI leaders in Middle East
Mr Musk recommended that nations establish their own AI clusters, comparing them to essential infrastructure such as electricity grids. He anticipated a future where every country will have AI compute clusters as standard infrastructure.
He predicted that by 2040, humanoid robots could outnumber humans, suggesting a future workforce would be largely composed of robotic helpers. He mentioned Optimus robots, with price points likely to become accessible as production increases.
Mr Musk, founder of SpaceX, also shared plans for uncrewed Starship missions to Mars within two years, with aims to carry out human missions two years later. He expressed frustration over regulatory delays, which he views as an impediment to ambitious space projects, including the colonisation of Mars.
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Indika
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ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Rally schedule:
Saturday: Super Special Spectator Stage – Yas Marina Circuit – start 3.30pm.
Sunday: Yas Marina Circuit Stage 1 (276.01km)
Monday: Nissan Stage 2 (287.92km)
Tuesday: Al Ain Water Stage 3 (281.38km)
Wednesday: ADNOC Stage 4 (244.49km)
Thursday: Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage 5 (218.57km) Finish: Yas Marina Circuit – 4.30pm.
Six things you need to know about UAE Women’s Special Olympics football team
Several girls started playing football at age four
They describe sport as their passion
The girls don’t dwell on their condition
They just say they may need to work a little harder than others
When not in training, they play football with their brothers and sisters
The girls want to inspire others to join the UAE Special Olympics teams
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 100 ) US$175,000 1,200m
Winner: Baccarat, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (78-94) $60,000 1,800m
Winner: Baroot, Christophe Soumillon, Mike de Kock
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes Group 3 $200,000 1,600m
Winner: Heavy Metal, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.15pm: Handicap (95-108) $125,000 1,200m
Winner: Yalta, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 $200,000 1,800m
Winner: Promising Run, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,400m
Winner: Oh This Is Us, Tom Marquand, Richard Hannon
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
PROFILE BOX:
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Rami Salman, Rishav Jalan, Ayush Chordia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Technology, Sales, Voice, Artificial Intelligence
Size: (employees/revenue) 10/ 100,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($800,000)
Investors: Eight first-round investors including, Beco Capital, 500 Startups, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Hala Fadel, Odin Financial Services, Dubai Angel Investors, Womena, Arzan VC
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
The specs: 2018 Peugeot 5008
Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Kane (50')
Newcastle United 0
Everything Now
Arcade Fire
(Columbia Records)
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Squads
India: Kohli (c), Rahul, Shaw, Agarwal, Pujara, Rahane, Vihari, Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shami, Umesh, Siraj, Thakur
West Indies: Holder (c), Ambris, Bishoo, Brathwaite, Chase, Dowrich (wk), Gabriel, Hamilton, Hetmyer, Hope, Lewis, Paul, Powell, Roach, Warrican, Joseph
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 3
Gayle (23'), Perez (59', 63')
Chelsea 0
RESULT
Deportivo La Coruna 2 Barcelona 4
Deportivo: Perez (39'), Colak (63')
Barcelona: Coutinho (6'), Messi (37', 81', 84')
FIGHT%20CARD
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The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
Princeton
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
