Musk Wants AI to Fix What Washington Won’t

Elon Eyes Bureaucracy 2.0

Elon Musk is once again shaking up the political conversation—this time by suggesting that artificial intelligence could do a better job than certain parts of the U.S. government. Speaking at the recent Milken Institute Global Conference, Musk criticized some government functions as overly bureaucratic and inefficient, claiming that AI systems could serve as “referees” to enforce rules more fairly and efficiently. He noted that there’s a growing mismatch between the capabilities of modern technology and the sluggish pace of government systems, which he believes are weighed down by legacy processes and personnel inertia. Musk emphasized that he’s not advocating for AI to control everything, but for it to assist in optimizing and streamlining government workflows.

Balancing Progress With Public Trust

Musk acknowledged the risks AI poses, particularly in critical areas like governance, but pointed out that we already rely on flawed human systems. “This isn’t about replacing democracy; it’s about eliminating inefficiency,” he said, adding that strategic deployment of AI could support better decision-making and reduce waste. Still, critics warn that over-reliance on algorithmic governance could lead to transparency issues, bias, and exacerbation of systemic inequalities if not handled with careful oversight. Musk has a history of warning about the dangers of AI, making his comments all the more surprising—suggesting a nuanced evolution in his thinking about man-machine collaboration.