Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak Cites Tesla Vehicles as a Misstep in AI Development

4

Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak Cites Tesla Vehicles as a Misstep in AI Development

Steve Wozniak, a technology entrepreneur, philanthropist, and co-founder of the global technology firm Apple, has expressed his discontent with Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and owner of Twitter, for not delivering on the promise of self-driving vehicles.

Wozniak also remarked that Tesla could be dangerous, citing the vehicle model as an instance of artificial intelligence (AI) that has “gone wrong.”

Wozniak Critiques Musk on Unfulfilled Commitment

In a recent discussion with CNN, Steve Wozniak was inquired about his connection with Elon Musk, to which he replied that he has neither met nor communicated with the Tesla and Twitter executive. The Apple co-founder acknowledged Musk’s initiatives to promote electric vehicle adoption but criticized the CEO for not achieving the goal of self-driving cars.

Wozniak pointed out that Musk initially promised to unveil a self-driving vehicle by 2016, prompting Wozniak to upgrade to his model at a cost of $50,000. However, the vehicle did not meet expectations. Another model, equipped with eight cameras, was expected to be capable of self-driving by the end of 2017, which Wozniak also anticipated would come to fruition.

Nevertheless, the tech entrepreneur stated that none of these commitments are even remotely close to being realized. Instead, the Apple co-founder remarked:

ADVERTISEMENT

“If you want a study of AI gone wrong and taking a lot of claims and trying to kill you every chance it can 0 get a Tesla.”

When asked about Musk’s management of the microblogging site Twitter, Wozniak mentioned that he had no opinion on the issue, as he steers clear of social media.

The Tesla CEO acquired and took control of Twitter in 2022 following an initial termination of the agreement and a lawsuit. Musk’s first action as the owner of Twitter was to dismiss CEO Parag Agrawal, along with several top executives of the company. Reports also indicated that numerous Twitter employees were considering leaving the company after the billionaire issued an ultimatum for staff to either commit to longer hours or resign.

Wozniak States He’s Not Afraid of AI, Advocates for Regulation

In the CNN interview, Wozniak clarified that he does not harbor fears regarding AI but emphasized the necessity of being cautious to prevent the technology from being misused. In March 2023, the tech entrepreneur, alongside Musk and other prominent figures in the tech industry, signed an open letter advocating for a six-month halt on the development of AI systems more advanced than GPT-4.

Wozniak added that while powerful technology can be advantageous, it can also pose risks, stating that something as potent as AI could be exploited by malicious individuals for “really evil purposes.”

The Apple co-founder further called for regulations to ensure that companies consider ethical implications. However, he acknowledged that global regulation is unfeasible.

While Wozniak has voiced concerns about the rise of more advanced technological tools, the philanthropist has praised bitcoin, describing it as a “mathematical miracle” in 2021 and ranking the asset above gold. In a subsequent interview in 2022, the engineer referred to bitcoin as the “only one that’s pure-gold mathematics.”

SPECIAL OFFER (Sponsored) Binance Free $100 (Exclusive): Use this link to register and receive $100 free and 10% off fees on Binance Futures first month (terms).
PrimeXBT Special Offer: Use this link to register & enter CRYPTOPOTATO50 code to receive up to $7,000 on your deposits.