Washington D.C. — Elon Musk has once again sparked global debate with his prediction that within 10 to 20 years, humans will no longer need to work, and money itself may lose relevance. Speaking at the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum, the Tesla CEO argued that advances in robotics and artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape the global economy.
Musk described future employment as optional, likening it to playing sports or video games. “Work will be like planting vegetables in your backyard — harder than buying them at the store, but some people will still do it because they enjoy it,” he explained.
Central to Musk’s vision is the deployment of millions of humanoid robots, including Tesla’s Optimus project, which he claims could eventually account for 80% of the company’s value. Despite delays in development, Musk insists that robotics will drive productivity to levels that make most human labor unnecessary.
He also referenced Iain M. Banks’ Culture Series, a science fiction universe where scarcity is eliminated, superintelligent AI governs, and money no longer exists. Musk suggested that if technological progress continues, such a scenario could become reality.
Previously, Musk floated the idea of a “universal high income” to support societies in a world without mandatory work, echoing similar proposals for universal basic income by other tech leaders. Economists, however, remain skeptical, citing high costs of robotics and the slow pace of AI adoption.
Ultimately, Musk’s forecast challenges both corporate and political leaders to rethink the foundations of economic systems. Whether or not his vision materializes, the conversation underscores the need for proactive strategies in governance, workforce adaptation, and social safety nets as technology accelerates.
