Elon Musk predicts AI could surpass human intelligence within five years

Elon Musk has predicted that artificial intelligence could surpass the total intelligence of humanity within approximately five years. In an interview with The Economist, Musk suggested that once this threshold is reached, AI will likely be capable of performing almost any task better than humans, with the possible exception of being human itself.

Musk noted that if the intelligence gap between AI and humans becomes significantly larger than the gap between humans and chimpanzees, it will be difficult for humans to maintain control. While he has previously warned of existential risks, he now views the momentum of AI and robotics as nearly unstoppable and suggests a more optimistic outlook, envisioning an era of incredible prosperity if major global disruptions, such as war, do not occur.

Parallel to these developments, the AI race is increasingly being defined by physical infrastructure rather than just software models. The competition now relies heavily on computational capacity, semiconductor chips, data centers, and energy supplies. As AI moves from research to large-scale deployment, the demand for specialized processors, high-bandwidth memory, and stable power sources has surged, making control over the semiconductor supply chain a critical strategic interest for global powers.