One of the things Elon was warning about AI was not it shouldn't be looked into, but WHERE it's being developed that may be the issue.

If California gets the head start, that AI with THEIR philosophy which includes that decreasing population saves the environment. A non fucked up more nationalist country would develop AI with a Philosophy of safeguarding it's people from external threats so at least know there's no need to kill EVERY human for 'the greater good'