Elon Musk Advocates for 'Tech Support' Governance at Dubai Summit

In a captivating virtual appearance at the World Governments Summit held in Dubai from February 11 to 13, 2025, Elon Musk donned a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "tech support" while discussing innovative governance reforms. His conversation with S.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, brought attention to the pressing need for more efficient and accountable governmental structures.

Musk emphasized the importance of streamlining governmental operations, argumentatively advocating for smaller institutions that are more responsible, which, in turn, could promote economic growth and overall efficiency. He proclaimed that current bureaucratic systems often impede progress, stating, "We have government of bureaucracy versus government of the people," suggesting the necessity of cutting regulations and governmental expenditures to achieve an economic growth goal of 4-5% without inflation by 2026.

The summit, in its 12th year, attracted a global array of leaders and experts who convened to tackle pressing issues regarding governance, health, and trade in the modern age. The event fostered discussions about key insights and practical solutions tailored by influential policymakers and thought leaders from around the world.

Musk's remarks underscored a vital transition, highlighting the urgent need to modernize governmental technologies. He humorously pointed to the outdated and inefficient nature of current systems by referencing the cumbersome manual pension process. "The U.S. government needs tech support," he jested, drawing laughter from attendees.

On the topic of foreign policy, Musk advocated for the U.S. to focus on its own affairs rather than pursuing regime changes abroad, suggesting a less interventionist approach. He also highlighted the shortcomings of the U.S. education system, referencing its low rankings in international assessments conducted by the OECD.

Moreover, Musk introduced his latest AI model, Grok 3.0, which is set to launch in the upcoming weeks. He labeled it as "smart and somewhat terrifying," hinting at its advanced capabilities and potential impact on the AI landscape. He quipped, "This could be the last time an AI is smarter than Grok," indicating the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence technology.

Joseph Tsai, President of Alibaba Group and an admirer of Grok, provided a complementary perspective. He contended that the true value of AI lies not in having the most advanced systems but in their ability to address real-world issues. Tsai compared AI development to raising children, asserting that society doesn’t necessarily need the "smartest child" but rather innovative ways to apply intelligence for beneficial outcomes. He foresaw a shift towards practical applications in AI, with more emphasis on open-source tools that make AI development accessible to both large and small businesses.

In parallel discussions, Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM, and Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, expressed their enthusiasm about the impending era of quantum computing, which they believe will spark a transformative technological revolution. Pichai highlighted a recent achievement of Google’s quantum computing team, showcasing their ability to perform a calculation in five minutes that would require more than 10 septillion years on today’s most powerful supercomputers. He compared the current state of quantum computing to the landscape of AI during the early 2010s, predicting that tangible applications would emerge within the next five to ten years.

As for the role of governments in technological regulation, Pichai noted, "It's too early to regulate technology, but it is crucial to understand it thoroughly and start preparing for it."

The discussions and visions shared at the summit encapsulate a pivotal moment for global governance and technological advancement, with influential figures like Musk leading the charge toward a more efficient, responsive government model in an increasingly digital age. For further details about the event and insights shared, visit worldgovernmentsummit.org.