Elon Musk: People are Already Cyborgs Because of Machine-Assisted Memory

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, has said that humans are already cyborgs, primarily due to our dependence on machines to retain our memories. In response to an online debate regarding artificial intelligence (AI), Musk tweeted that computers currently store our memories with pinpoint precision. While he has been critical of the potential dangers posed by AI, Musk acknowledges that there are still areas in which we surpass machines, such as thinking, which is much less outsourced for now. Musk has been particularly critical of the development of the AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, a company he helped found, for its move from nonprofit to for-profit under the watch of Microsoft. While some commentators have attempted to soothe fears surrounding AI, Musk sees the possibility of the technology posing a risk to humanity should certain guidelines not be put in place to protect against its potential hazards.