A lot of great minds interacting often makes good news for common masses.
Sharing the stage together at the 2019 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) on August 29, they talked about a variety of subjects; ranging from AI and going to Mars, to the possibility of the human population collapsing.
While Ma held an optimistic approach about AI, Musk simply considered it apocalyptic, reports CNBC.
The point where they both could agree was about the human population collapsing sometime in the future.
Speaking to the audience, Musk said on the stage:
Most people think we have too many people on the planet, but actually, this is an outdated view. Assuming there is a benevolent future with AI, I think the biggest problem the world will face in 20 years is population collapse.
Jack Ma agreed saying:
I absolutely agree with that. The population problem is going to be facing huge challenge. 1.4 billion people in China sounds a lot, but I think next 20 years, we will see this thing will bring big trouble to China. And … the speed of population decrease is going to speed up. You called it a ‘collapse’.
While we would want to forget what both these street-smart geniuses have to say about the planet’s future, the statistics are scary and speak in their favour.
For the first time in modern history, the world’s population is expected to virtually stop growing by the end of this century, due in large part to falling global fertility rates. https://t.co/geJJAUzrn4
— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) July 19, 2019
Even if a bit aggressive, what Ma and Musk have pointed out may well work against us in the coming few years.
Fertility rates also vary from country to country and continent to continent.
Explaining it theoretically, a long-term population decline, especially when there’s no replacement, can bring unfavourable social and economic consequences.
The staggering debate may have brought out a lot of speculations about our future, this particular point of human population collapsing probably makes me sweat the most.
Twitter agrees.
This is seriously worrying. Two industry tycoons and global influencers talk absolute nonsense about „population collapse“ in the next 20 ys. According to UN figures, there will be 10 billion in 2050.
— Michael Reuss (@michaelreuss) August 29, 2019
These guys clearly are talking about the impending Rapture and second coming of the Lord.
— OG Dossier-Truther (@meberight) August 29, 2019
Those that remain will have to deal with more than population collapse. pic.twitter.com/2gJIQTuecx
Have they seen the outlook for population growth in Africa?
— Jon Schneider (@JonSchn2112) August 29, 2019
Currently at 1.2B, and they’ll triple that within the next 45 yrs
They’ll have people to export for our entire lifetimes
— Michael Reuss (@michaelreuss) August 29, 2019
Collapse caused by our greed & stupidity, yes, a loader problem and highly likely. Falling demographics with AI & other teach advances is a very good thing
— 💧Zulutron (@Zulutron) August 29, 2019
Even though nature’s fury has already shed warning signals about a not-so-bright future, it is difficult to say how long before our time on this planet is up.
