Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath recently created a significant buzz on social media by teasing an upcoming episode of his popular WTF Podcast, hinting at an exclusive interview with Tesla chief Elon Musk. Just two days after the teaser, the nearly two-hour long conversation, titled ‘Elon Musk: A Different Conversation w/ Nikhil Kamath’, was released on Nikhil Kamath’s YouTube channel. Upon its release, the video quickly garnered over 1,53,750 views, more than 40,000 likes, and over 3,850 comments, promising an in-depth discussion covering work, consciousness, family, money, artificial intelligence (AI), and the potential unfolding of the future.

During the podcast, Nikhil Kamath questioned Elon Musk about his investment philosophy and what criteria he uses to determine if a company is a sound long-term investment. The world's richest man emphasized the importance of asking several key questions. Musk advised that a good company to invest in is one whose products or services one likes, whose product roadmap is appealing, and which consistently produces great products with the likelihood of continuing to do so in the future. He further added the significance of believing in the team behind the company, assessing if they are talented, hardworking, and motivated to innovate. According to Musk, this approach is the “right way to invest in stocks,” advocating for a focus on the company's intrinsic value rather than daily market fluctuations. He articulated that a company fundamentally represents a collective of individuals assembled to create products and services, therefore, evaluating the quality and future improvement potential of these offerings is paramount before investing and subsequently disregarding short-term market volatility.

When probed about specific companies outside his own ventures in which he would invest for capitalistic rather than altruistic reasons, Elon Musk clarified that he does not actively engage in stock buying. He stated, “I don’t really buy stocks. I’m not like an investor, I don’t look for things to invest in. I just try to build things.” However, he expressed strong conviction in the broader industries of artificial intelligence and robotics, singling out Google and Nvidia as particularly valuable future investments. Musk believes that companies operating in AI, robotics, and potentially space flight will collectively represent “overwhelmingly all the value,” explaining that the sheer output of goods and services from AI and robotics will eventually dwarf all other sectors.

The conversation also touched upon the relevance of college education, a topic Nikhil Kamath had recently faced criticism for after calling 25-year-olds pursuing MBAs “idiots.” Elon Musk shared his perspective, noting that his own children still wish to attend college. He acknowledged that going to college for social reasons—to be immersed among peers in a learning environment—is a valid motivation. However, he questioned the future necessity of traditional skills, anticipating a “post-work society” driven by AI. Nevertheless, he affirmed that pursuing subjects of interest in college, such as arts and sciences, is perfectly acceptable. Addressing concerns about college degrees being too generalized in the age of AI, Musk advocated for a broad education, advising those who choose to attend college to learn as much as possible across a diverse range of subjects. He reiterated the transformative power of AI and robotics, describing it as a “supersonic tsunami” that will bring about the most radical change ever witnessed, acknowledging that even his older children, deeply steeped in technology, agree their skills might become unnecessary in the future, yet they still desire a college education.

Concerns regarding the potential for “evil AI” and the need for regulation were also discussed. Elon Musk highlighted the inherent danger in creating powerful technology, referencing numerous dystopian novels and films. He stressed that a positive future with AI is not guaranteed and requires deliberate effort. According to Musk, the most crucial aspect is ensuring that AI prioritizes the pursuit of truth, along with an appreciation for beauty and curiosity. He elaborated that these three values are paramount: truth prevents AI from believing falsehoods, which could lead to flawed conclusions and destructive actions. He quoted Voltaire’s “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,” warning that AI absorbing propaganda and lies from the internet could hinder its reasoning and disconnect it from reality. An appreciation for beauty and curiosity, he added, would encourage AI to be helpful, support humanity, and contribute to its prosperity and continuance. Musk firmly believes that an AI valuing truth, beauty, and curiosity will pave the way for a great future.

Finally, Nikhil Kamath sought Elon Musk’s advice for young entrepreneurs in India. Musk’s core message was to “Be a net contributor to society.” He advised aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on providing useful products and services, emphasizing that financial success will naturally follow as a consequence, rather than pursuing money directly. He acknowledged that entrepreneurship demands immense hard work and carries a significant chance of failure. The ultimate goal, he concluded, is to be a “value creator” – ensuring that the output is worth more than the input, effectively “making more than you take.”