Tech icon and Apple Inc. Co-Founder Steve Wozniak has criticized Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, accusing him of failing to deliver on the promise of self-driving cars and warning that Tesla’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology could be deadly.
In an interview with CNN, Wozniak praised Musk’s efforts to promote electric vehicles but expressed disappointment that Musk has yet to fulfill his promise to introduce self-driving cars.
“He promised us self-driving cars by 2016, and I paid for it. I upgraded to the $50,000 version, but it never came to be. He’s always had these promises and it doesn’t happen,” Wozniak said.
Wozniak also voiced concerns about Tesla’s AI technology, referring to the car model as an example of artificial intelligence “gone wrong” and warning that it could be dangerous.
“If you want a study of AI gone wrong and taking a lot of claims and trying to kill you every chance it can, get a Tesla,” Wozniak cautioned.
Despite his concerns about AI, Wozniak emphasized that he was not afraid of the technology but rather of its potential misuse. He called for regulations to ensure that companies prioritize ethical considerations and safety when developing powerful technologies like AI.
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AI and robotics are becoming a larger part of our lives everyday. Companies like AvaWatz are using AI to develop robotic teams that work together and automate tasks traditionally performed separately by individual robots or human teams. The company is transforming robots into cobots, allowing them to work collaboratively to get tasks done more efficiently without compromising safety. The startup recently launched on Wefunder, which means anyone can invest for a limited time.
Wozniak has previously advocated for ethical AI development and was one of several technology leaders to sign an open letter in March calling for a six-month halt to the development of AI systems more advanced than GPT-4.
In addition to his views on AI, Wozniak also shared his thoughts on Musk’s management of Twitter Inc., which the Tesla CEO purchased in 2022. Wozniak said he had no opinion on the matter, as he avoids social media.
While Wozniak expressed concerns about the potential dangers of advanced technology, he has also expressed admiration for Bitcoin, calling it a “mathematical miracle” in 2021 and placing it above gold as an investment.
Wozniak’s comments highlight the importance of responsible technology development and the need for ethical considerations to be at the forefront of innovation in fields like AI and autonomous vehicles.
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