An Apology for the “Dumbest” Tweet
In a recent interview at the New York Times DealBook Summit, Elon Musk publicly apologized for what he deemed his “dumbest” social media post, referring to his antisemitic tweet on X earlier this month. Musk expressed regret for the controversial post and acknowledged it might be the “worst” and “dumbest” he has ever done.
Defending Against Advertiser Departures
Despite the apology, he strongly criticized advertisers leaving the platform due to rising antisemitism, bluntly stating, “If someone is going to blackmail me with advertising or money, go f**k yourself.” This came as a response to the notable exodus of major brands from X, including Disney, Paramount, NBCUniversal, Comcast, Lionsgate, and Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN.
Elon Musk Perspective on the Controversial Tweet
Musk defended his controversial tweet, asserting that, far from being antisemitic, he is actually “philosemitic.” He highlighted his recent visit to Israel, emphasizing that it was not an apology tour but rather an opportunity to engage with the community affected by recent events.
Unanticipated Turns: Musk’s Views on AI and OpenAI Drama
The conversation at the DealBook Summit took unexpected turns, delving into Musk’s views on AI and the recent drama at OpenAI. Musk expressed concern about the potential dangers of AI, comparing it to a “dangerous element” and criticizing OpenAI for deviating from its initial open-source ethos.
Musk’s Activism and Uncertain Responses
The interview also touched on Musk’s activism against antisemitism, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing hope for Musk’s continued efforts. However, there appeared to be uncertainty about Musk’s consistency in his messaging, as mentioned by President Isaac Herzog.
Musk’s Thought-Provoking Statements
In a thought-provoking statement, Musk questioned the potential dangers of AI, likening it to a “ring of power” that can corrupt. He suggested that OpenAI should be renamed “super closed source for maximum profit AI,” expressing disappointment in the organization’s departure from its original open-source ethos.
Diverse Topics and Audience Departure
The conversation concluded with Musk discussing diverse topics, ranging from childhood trauma to aliens, cellphones in people’s heads, and unconventional uses of X, prompting a portion of the audience to leave before the official wrap-up.