Cornell professor and social commentator Dave Collum joined Tucker Carlson’s show with a provocative take on artificial intelligence. While acknowledging Elon Musk’s long-standing warnings about AI risks, Collum argued that Musk overlooked what he believes is the greatest threat of all.

“Elon Musk warned us about AI, but he missed the biggest threat,” Collum said, suggesting that the conversation around AI has been too narrowly focused on machines turning hostile or replacing human jobs. Instead, he pointed to who controls the technology and how it will be used to shape societies.

According to Collum, the true danger lies in centralized power, where governments or corporations could weaponize AI for surveillance, censorship, and manipulation—transforming human freedoms and democracy far more quickly than killer robots ever could.

The comments highlight a growing divide in the AI debate: while technologists like Musk warn of existential risks, voices like Collum’s are raising alarms about real-world control and governance as AI rapidly integrates into daily life.