Elon Musk claims alien identity, links human brain function to AI
- Elon Musk jokingly said he was an alien, and people became interested.
- Musk linked AI to the cortex of the limbic system; in other words, he said that AI is like an engine room in which decisions are made.
Elon Musk, the brain behind the two formidable brands; Tesla Motors and SpaceX is a humorous publicity expert who relishes making shocking statements.
Contrary to the usual serious image, Musk, who was interviewed at the Viva Tech event, decided to joke and stated that he was an alien. When the host jokingly said that there were people who might think the host was an alien, Musk in all seriousness said, “I am an alien.”
This statement made the audience burst into laughter while Musk made a drastic shift to serious mode by informing them that he had evidence that he was an alien and would upload it on his Twitter account.
He did not end his interstellar statement. He then in a deeper and more thought-provoking way touched on the interaction that the human being can have with artificial intelligence. Here, Musk said that people must confer purpose on AI. He made a comparison with the human brain to depict this notion.
Limbic System and Cortex Analogy
In his analogy, Musk compared AI to the human brain's two main components: The limbic system and the cortex. Limbic is composed of instincts and emotions while the cortex has to do with tangible logical thinking and strategic generation.
Musk said that the cortical seeks to fulfill the demands of the limbic system. He stated that such a relationship can develop with AI as well. Thus, AI (the cortex) x would strive to satisfy human wants (the limbic system).
Humans Give AI Meaning
Musk expanded with his analogy stating: ‘I think AI might still require humans as humans are providing it with meaning. So, if you think about our brains, we work with the limbic system which is the instinct and feelings and the cortex which is the thinking and planning. The cortex is always trying to make the limbic system happy. The AI is trying to make that cortex happy, which is trying to make our limbic system happy. And maybe we are what will give the AI meaning or purpose."
