By Kavita Mistry 
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has offered a bold prediction about the future of work, suggesting that within the next 10 to 20 years, employment could become optional for most people due to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and robotics. Speaking at the US-Saudi Investment Forum, Musk stated that traditional jobs may no longer be necessary as machines become capable of performing the majority of human tasks. He compared future work to recreational activities such as sports or video games, noting that while people may choose to work out of interest or enjoyment, it will no longer be a requirement for survival. Individuals could still buy goods from stores or grow their own food, though Musk acknowledged that self-sustenance may be more difficult.
Elon Musk: AI and Humanoid Robots Could Make Currency Obsolete
Musk also discussed the possibility that money itself may lose relevance in a world where AI and robotics dominate production and services. Citing futuristic literature, he suggested that as machines continue to improve, conventional currency could become obsolete. However, he noted that physical constraints such as energy and raw materials would remain important. Musk highlighted the transformative potential of humanoid robots, especially Tesla’s Optimus robot—also known as the Tesla Bot—which he believes could become the largest industry in the world, surpassing even smartphones in scale and impact.
According to Musk, the widespread use of AI and humanoid robots has the potential to eliminate poverty globally. By automating complex tasks and increasing productivity, these technologies could provide societies with unprecedented levels of abundance. While Tesla is positioned to lead the development of humanoid robots, Musk anticipates that many other companies will also enter the field, driving rapid innovation and adoption. He emphasized that AI and robotics offer a unique path to universal wealth, asserting that the most effective way to make everyone prosperous is through continued technological advancement.
Musk on the Future: AI to Reshape Society and Expand Human Freedom
Musk concluded by acknowledging that achieving a world where work becomes optional will require considerable progress and responsible integration of AI into daily life. Yet he remains confident that these technologies will redefine economies, reshape industries, and address long-standing social challenges, ultimately creating a future where humans enjoy greater freedom, security, and prosperity.
Summary:
Elon Musk Predicts a Future Shaped by AI and Humanoid Robots, Where Work Becomes Optional, Money Loses Relevance, Poverty Is Eliminated Through Automation, and Advanced Robotics Redefine Global Prosperity, Economic Systems, and Human Freedom Over the Next Two Decades.