Elon Musk Urges G20 Governments to Adopt a More Flexible Approach to AI Regulation

Elon Musk has called on G20 governments to adopt a significantly more flexible approach to the development of artificial intelligence. Speaking via video conference at the G20 Innovation Ministerial, held on September 1st and 2nd in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla argued that new technologies should be considered "permitted by default."

According to Musk, overly burdensome regulations risk stifling innovation at a time when tech companies are still exploring the full potential of AI. He specifically criticized the European regulatory model, which he views as particularly restrictive. This stance aligns with the position defended by the U.S. administration during the G20 meeting, through the "Carolina Principles," which advocate for reserving new regulations for truly unprecedented situations.

Growing Tensions Between Washington and Brussels

This debate comes as the European Union continues to implement its AI Act, hailed as the first comprehensive legal framework dedicated to artificial intelligence. Since August 2, 2026, the European Commission has been enforcing new obligations regarding general-purpose AI models and transparency. Brussels has also requested information from over 30 industry players regarding their practices in safety, cybersecurity, and copyright compliance.

Beyond regulation, Musk highlighted another major challenge: energy. He warned that the rapid rise of AI and humanoid robots could lead to a significant surge in electricity demand, particularly to power data centers. Furthermore, he estimated that up to one billion humanoid robots could be operational worldwide within the next decade, potentially offering productivity levels that exceed those of human workers.