'I f----ing like humanity, dude': Elon Musk's friendship with then-Google CEO ended over AI: book | Fox Business

Key Points of Elon Musk and Larry Page's Falling Out

Walter Isaacson's new biography reveals that the friendship between tech moguls Elon Musk and Larry Page ended over their conflicting views on artificial intelligence (AI).

The 2013 Birthday Party Argument

A heated debate at Musk's 2013 birthday party is described where Musk voiced concerns about the lack of safeguards in AI development, fearing AI could replace humanity. Page, seemingly unconcerned, questioned the significance of machines surpassing human intelligence. This disagreement highlighted their differing philosophies regarding AI's potential impact.

Musk's Actions and Concerns

Musk's concerns over AI safety led him to take several actions:

• He co-founded OpenAI, a non-profit focused on open-source AI development, partly to counter Google's dominance in the field.
• He sought to prevent Google from acquiring DeepMind, believing Larry Page was too careless about AI safety.
• He warned that AI poses the biggest existential threat to humanity.

The Deterioration of Their Friendship

The strained relationship worsened when OpenAI recruited one of Google's top scientists. This action fueled Larry Page's anger and resentment, effectively ending their personal relationship.

Musk's Perspective

Musk openly acknowledged his preference for humans over other species, stating, “Yes, I’m a specist, okay. You got me.” He also maintained that his actions were necessary to prevent unchecked AI development.