"Is It Possible for AI to Eliminate the Need to Work? Musk's Perspective Sparks Debate Among Specialists"

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"Is It Possible for AI to Eliminate the Need to Work? Musk's Perspective Sparks Debate Among Specialists"

Bitget-RWA2025/11/20 18:54

By:Bitget-RWA

- Elon Musk predicts AI and robotics could make work optional within 10-20 years, eliminating money, as discussed at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum. - Experts question feasibility, citing high costs of physical automation and historical trends showing diminishing returns in tech adoption. - Skeptics highlight risks of growing inequality, noting AI gains disproportionately benefit tech giants while broader markets struggle. - Philosophical challenges include societal erosion from work displacement, with Mu

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has once again sparked discussions about the evolution of work and money, forecasting that artificial intelligence and robotics could make employment a matter of personal preference within the next decade or two, potentially making currency obsolete.

During his remarks at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum

in Washington, D.C., Musk compared future jobs to leisure activities like gardening or playing sports, stressing that automation could turn work into a voluntary pursuit rather than a necessity.

Musk’s outlook is based on swift progress in AI and humanoid robots, particularly through Tesla’s Optimus initiative. He suggested that these innovations could eradicate poverty by making products and services far more affordable, stating, "

The only real way to ensure universal prosperity

, is through AI and robotics." The

Tesla

Bot, which is still under development, is a key part of this vision, with Musk asserting it could surpass smartphones in worldwide usage

in Musk’s view

Although Musk’s optimism draws inspiration from speculative fiction like Iain M. Banks’ “Culture” series, many economists and industry professionals remain unconvinced.

Ioana Marinescu, an economist at the University of Pennsylvania

, pointed out the difficulties in expanding robotics, explaining that while AI is becoming cheaper, physical automation is still costly and tailored to specific tasks. She also questioned whether Musk’s projected timeline fits with the historical pace of technological change.

The shift to a society where work is optional also brings up significant economic questions. Samuel Solomon, a labor economist at Temple University, stressed the importance of universal basic income or similar policies to support a society with less traditional employment.

Musk, on the other hand, has not provided specifics

on how such a system would operate, instead mentioning that “universal high income” could naturally result from AI-driven productivity gains.

Some critics highlight the increasing wealth gap amid the AI surge. Despite Musk’s massive compensation package and Tesla’s emphasis on robotics, concerns about wealth concentration persist.

Torsten Slok of Apollo Economics observed

that the benefits of AI are largely accruing to the “Magnificent 7” tech firms, while most S&P 500 companies are seeing their profits decline.

Beyond technology, there are also philosophical issues to consider.

Anton Korinek, an AI economics specialist

at the University of Virginia, cautioned that a world without work could undermine social bonds and the sense of purpose that employment provides. Musk acknowledged this profound change, suggesting that people might seek meaning by “giving AI purpose.”

Despite doubts, Musk’s impact highlights a broader transformation in the tech industry.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who also attended the forum

, pointed out that AI is already revolutionizing areas like radiology, where it helps doctors process more information and make better diagnoses. At the same time, companies such as UiPath and C3.ai are facing both opportunities and obstacles as they try to bring AI into the business world

according to industry analysts

However, Musk’s forecasts encounter real-world obstacles. The Optimus project at Tesla has experienced production setbacks, and the challenge of deploying humanoid robots on a large scale to replace human workers remains unresolved. Additionally,

increased regulatory attention on AI’s effects on society

— as seen in U.S. antitrust probes into Nvidia’s dominance — could also slow down progress.

As the competition in AI heats up, Musk’s vision stands as both an inspiration and a warning. While his ambitious ideas capture public attention, the journey toward a future where work is optional is filled with technical, economic, and ethical hurdles.

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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