Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc., believes that the world is heading towards a future where traditional employment becomes obsolete. This shift is driven by the rapid progress in artificial intelligence and robotics, which is fundamentally reshaping the global economy.
‘Working Will Be Optional’ In 20 Years
Musk appeared on the People By WTF podcast, where he stated that the pace of technological acceleration will allow most people to stop working entirely. He predicts that in less than 20 years, working will be optional, and people will have the freedom to choose whether or not they want to work.
The Future of Work
Musk describes this transition as a natural outcome of exponential improvements in automation. He explains that the role of human labor will fundamentally change, and working will essentially become “like a hobby.” The billionaire entrepreneur notes that AI and robotics are advancing at a “supersonic tsunami” scale, pushing productivity far beyond what human-driven systems can match.
Musk Pitches ‘Universal High Income’
Musk has made similar claims in the past, saying that “working will be optional in the future.” He has also made the case for a “universal high income,” which marks a conceptual leap from the traditional idea of a universal basic income. This concept involves sharing the AI-driven surplus, so people can participate in growth, not just get cushioned from loss.
Implications of a Jobless Future
As AI and robotics continue to advance, people will no longer be making beelines to cities solely for job opportunities. Musk maintains that this shift is not speculative but an inevitable result of current trends. The idea of a universal high income is seen as a way to address the potential challenges of a jobless future, where people can still participate in economic growth and benefit from technological advancements.
What This Means for the Future
The concept of a universal high income is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about work and economic growth. As AI and robotics continue to advance, it is likely that we will see significant changes in the job market and the way people live their lives. Whether or not Musk’s predictions come true, one thing is certain - the future of work is likely to be very different from what we know today.
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk predicts that working will be optional in less than 20 years
- The rapid progress in artificial intelligence and robotics is driving this shift
- Musk proposes a “universal high income” as a way to address the potential challenges of a jobless future
- The concept of a universal high income is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about work and economic growth.