Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(131,585 posts)
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:37 PM Nov 20

Elon Musk says that in 10 to 20 years, work will be optional and money will be irrelevant thanks to AI and robotics

In the future, Elon Musk sees humans as metaphorical vegetable farmers.

The Tesla CEO said at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday that in the next 10 to 20 years, work will be optional, likening the decision to have a job to the more laborious upkeep of a vegetable garden.

“My prediction is that work will be optional. It’ll be like playing sports or a video game or something like that,” Musk said. “If you want to work, [it’s] the same way you can go to the store and just buy some vegetables, or you can grow vegetables in your backyard. It’s much harder to grow vegetables in your backyard, and some people still do it because they like growing vegetables.”

The future of optional work will be the result of millions of robots in the workforce able to usher in a wave of enhanced productivity, according to Musk. The tech mogul, worth about $470 billion, has made the recent push to expand Tesla beyond just electric vehicles, working on consolidating his sprawling business interests into his broader vision of an AI-fueled, robotic-powered future. That includes his goal of having 80% of Tesla’s value come from his Optimus robots, despite continuous production delays for the humanoid bots.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-says-10-20-183701720.html

There'll still be work. Greedy fucks like Musk won't share the wealth.

74 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Elon Musk says that in 10 to 20 years, work will be optional and money will be irrelevant thanks to AI and robotics (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Nov 20 OP
So... billions of humans FalloutShelter Nov 20 #1
you may not have noticed, they do not need billions of humans anymore rampartd Nov 20 #6
True that. FalloutShelter Nov 20 #7
I have seen learned postulation that AI misanthrope Nov 20 #11
They are using a multi-pronged approach. Vought, our Pres, says we need to get the population down to travelingthrulife Nov 21 #61
Zoos...the correct spelling is "zoos". ret5hd Nov 20 #10
Billions of humans with no job, no money, no food on the table. Irish_Dem Nov 21 #55
I think the plan is to starve to death 90% of the world population within one month. Jacson6 Nov 21 #73
This makes no sense at all to me. Iris Nov 20 #2
Yeah, me too! Elon, put your money where your mouth is. Give me a billion of your irrelevancy! TheBlackAdder Nov 21 #43
Hopefully in 10 to 20 years one of his rockets with him on it has a catastrophic failure. Botany Nov 20 #3
10-20 days is better misanthrope Nov 20 #12
Except somebody has to buy his cars, subscribe to satellite, etc. I think they'll find a way Silent Type Nov 20 #4
scrip, not script Metaphorical Nov 20 #40
Glad you got my point. Silent Type Nov 21 #42
Since when are Republicans going to issue script to not work? travelingthrulife Nov 21 #62
Gotta have someone buy cars, subscribe to social media, eat pork-n-beans, etc. Otherwise, their businesses fail Silent Type Nov 21 #64
Work optional? Norrrm Nov 20 #5
Elon needs to lay off the drugs. nt GoCubsGo Nov 20 #8
In 10-20 years MuskX's robots will take the drugs for him. Buns_of_Fire Nov 20 #23
Musk is admitting he doesn't have to work any more. His minions do it for him. Irish_Dem Nov 21 #57
Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 21 #70
Conspiracy theory: Rise of the terminators. n/t Jacson6 Nov 20 #9
We'll all have time to wave chainsaws at each other, and destroy institutions struggle4progress Nov 20 #13
If we all took the drugs he's taking, sure usonian Nov 20 #14
Sure Elon edhopper Nov 20 #15
Well, progress has been fantastic over the last 10 years Polybius Nov 20 #19
He promised it would be done edhopper Nov 20 #33
True Polybius Nov 21 #51
Yeah, a little edhopper Nov 21 #66
Dammit, I was born too soon! Polybius Nov 20 #16
And how will we be able to afford housing and food, exactly? Initech Nov 20 #17
He wants everyone not white dead. Justice matters. Nov 21 #47
The top 1% will likely try to use AI for their own "irrelevant" purposes of effortless survival... AntiFascist Nov 20 #18
So if money will be irrelevant then... llmart Nov 20 #20
He needs to lay off the g.d. drugs and scifi novels. valleyrogue Nov 20 #21
I'm going to take a wild stab here... jmowreader Nov 20 #22
Wafers Sold by the Musk Soylent Corporation Metaphorical Nov 20 #41
So money will be irrelevant? RazorbackExpat Nov 20 #24
His actions don't support his words EdmondDantes_ Nov 20 #26
Razorback..that was my first thought reading this.. Deuxcents Nov 20 #35
Says the psychotic clown waving a giant chainsaw on a stage Justice matters. Nov 21 #48
Musk is on powerful drugs, obviously Blues Heron Nov 20 #25
FEM John Coktosten Nov 20 #27
My guess is he wants to plug us all in to use us as batteries for his AIs. Intractable Nov 20 #28
Hes just talking about himself. SSJVegeta Nov 20 #29
If money will be irrelevant CanonRay Nov 20 #30
He also said he'd cut two trillion from the federal budget. So there's that. Scrivener7 Nov 20 #31
There will be jobs... DBoon Nov 20 #32
What he leaves unspoken is that people will be optional and irrelevant. Crunchy Frog Nov 20 #34
In 10 to 20 years, most people will realize dgauss Nov 20 #36
Except they have no intention of TheFarseer Nov 20 #37
I thought that he would have us all on Mars by then. Marie Marie Nov 20 #38
so I hope that Elon Musk will be 'optional' even sooner than that! Jack Valentino Nov 20 #39
"Oh, hey, everybody! If you just invest in my new wiz bang inventions, soon nobody will ever have to work AZJonnie Nov 21 #44
Assholes like him have been predicting this bullshit at least since the 1950s. PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 21 #45
It's just a coincidence that these fantastical BootinUp Nov 21 #46
Why does anyone listen to this drug addled shitposting liar? flvegan Nov 21 #49
Reading between the lines genxlib Nov 21 #50
Yes, and all races and religions will live in harmony, and the world will be preserved by environmentalists Walleye Nov 21 #52
There's not enough money or electricity to build out AI bucolic_frolic Nov 21 #53
This is why they are killing us off. They don't need a workforce any longer. Irish_Dem Nov 21 #54
Musk is so rich that money has become irrelevant to him. Irish_Dem Nov 21 #56
And quiet piggys will fly. Ferrets are Cool Nov 21 #58
He really needs to get off the drugs. marble falls Nov 21 #59
So these robots will also buy your products, Elon, you moronic manbaby? travelingthrulife Nov 21 #60
If money becomes irrelevant, so will you, Eloon! OldBaldy1701E Nov 21 #63
LOL, the rich will never let the masses benefit from automation, period Johnny2X2X Nov 21 #65
Yep. Ping Tung Nov 21 #67
Says the guy usedtobedemgurl Nov 21 #68
We, as Democrats and humans, need to ensure the "AI Dividend" gulliver Nov 21 #69
Then why does he need a $1T pay package? NT Happy Hoosier Nov 21 #71
The biggest grifter in history. IrishAfricanAmerican Nov 21 #72
Maybe he got enlightened Blue Full Moon Nov 21 #74

rampartd

(3,228 posts)
6. you may not have noticed, they do not need billions of humans anymore
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:47 PM
Nov 20

some of us will remain on reservations, i suppose.

travelingthrulife

(4,026 posts)
61. They are using a multi-pronged approach. Vought, our Pres, says we need to get the population down to
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 08:56 AM
Nov 21

100 million, all white, all his brand of christian, you know the hate-filled type.

My MAGA brothers tell me the concentration camps are also for religious indoctrination to their hate religion. You don't accept their version, off to the camps.

Irish_Dem

(78,490 posts)
55. Billions of humans with no job, no money, no food on the table.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 05:53 AM
Nov 21

This is why the rich have to start killing off the population.

Jacson6

(1,684 posts)
73. I think the plan is to starve to death 90% of the world population within one month.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 12:18 PM
Nov 21

After they have created their robots.

TheBlackAdder

(29,910 posts)
43. Yeah, me too! Elon, put your money where your mouth is. Give me a billion of your irrelevancy!
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 12:09 AM
Nov 21

Botany

(76,038 posts)
3. Hopefully in 10 to 20 years one of his rockets with him on it has a catastrophic failure.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:43 PM
Nov 20

Trump is just his tool to bring on Musk’s “brave new world.”

Silent Type

(12,222 posts)
4. Except somebody has to buy his cars, subscribe to satellite, etc. I think they'll find a way
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:44 PM
Nov 20

to care for people who decide not to work and live off staples, in small homes, etc. Maybe government will hand out script.

Those that want more will opt to work. They’ll be plenty of jobs left for those that want them, notwithstanding the doomsayers who have been around since my earliest memories in 1950s.

Not saying it will be pleasant.

Metaphorical

(2,575 posts)
40. scrip, not script
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 11:45 PM
Nov 20

Scrip is money issued by corporations in lieu of government back bonds. Scrip tends to go in and out of fashion as companies wax and wane, especially as scrip usually only tends to be accepted by the company in question. As far as I'm concerned, most e-currency is technically speaking scrip, and most is not worth the electrons their printed on, though the TechBros would have you believe otherwise.

travelingthrulife

(4,026 posts)
62. Since when are Republicans going to issue script to not work?
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 08:58 AM
Nov 21

This is just more tech nonsense. Of course money is irrelevant when you have all of it, Elon.

Silent Type

(12,222 posts)
64. Gotta have someone buy cars, subscribe to social media, eat pork-n-beans, etc. Otherwise, their businesses fail
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:08 AM
Nov 21

and their wealth all but evaporates.

Buns_of_Fire

(18,946 posts)
23. In 10-20 years MuskX's robots will take the drugs for him.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:25 PM
Nov 20

Leaving ElonX with nothing to do but spread his "superior" genes all day long. Not much different than it is for him now, actually.

Irish_Dem

(78,490 posts)
57. Musk is admitting he doesn't have to work any more. His minions do it for him.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 05:57 AM
Nov 21

And he has enough money to never worry again about anything.

Response to GoCubsGo (Reply #8)

struggle4progress

(125,244 posts)
13. We'll all have time to wave chainsaws at each other, and destroy institutions
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:00 PM
Nov 20

that took generations to build, and honor dictators who murder journalists, and demand trillion dollar payoffs, and babble nonsense about colonizing outer space!

Polybius

(21,256 posts)
19. Well, progress has been fantastic over the last 10 years
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:11 PM
Nov 20

I couldn't have imagined Full Self Driving version 14 in 2015.

Justice matters.

(9,178 posts)
47. He wants everyone not white dead.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 02:41 AM
Nov 21

And everyone not rich dead, no mater if they're white.

He wants his robots and AI to work 24/7, 365 days a year, to serve him and the 1% everything.

The 1% white.

AntiFascist

(13,713 posts)
18. The top 1% will likely try to use AI for their own "irrelevant" purposes of effortless survival...
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:11 PM
Nov 20

many of the rest of us will be working for the long-term survival of humanity.

llmart

(17,196 posts)
20. So if money will be irrelevant then...
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:16 PM
Nov 20

why doesn't he start getting rid of some of his right now. I'd like to be first in line.

I think my prediction is better. In 10 years Eloon will be irrelevant.

valleyrogue

(2,494 posts)
21. He needs to lay off the g.d. drugs and scifi novels.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:23 PM
Nov 20

I have heard this futuristic shit for decades, and what "progress" there has been has been limited.

AI is a load of shit.

jmowreader

(52,812 posts)
22. I'm going to take a wild stab here...
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:24 PM
Nov 20

All the people who are displaced by Musk Tech will eat nutritionally complete wafers that come in red, yellow and green, get their water from a central spigot that's only turned on once a week, and live 20-to-a-room without possessions.

Justice matters.

(9,178 posts)
48. Says the psychotic clown waving a giant chainsaw on a stage
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 02:47 AM
Nov 21

and making Heil Hitler salutes twice for all the horrified world to see.

Let's hope in ten years, he will be serving time for stealing private data without any consent.

Intractable

(1,444 posts)
28. My guess is he wants to plug us all in to use us as batteries for his AIs.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:49 PM
Nov 20

This man is not going to make life better for the proletariat.

DBoon

(24,567 posts)
32. There will be jobs...
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 10:25 PM
Nov 20

They just won't involve making things.

They won't involve providing services to ordinary people.

The jobs will involve providing menial, degrading services to the .1%.

Because the .1 % will always want to degrade and humiliate their lessers

Wiping the Ass of the English King — The Highly Coveted Job Among the Young Noblemen https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/groom-of-the-stool-bb96e0dfacba

TheFarseer

(9,742 posts)
37. Except they have no intention of
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 11:10 PM
Nov 20

sharing anything with anyone. He means work will be optional for fellow billionaires as if it isn’t already. The rest of us can die or scrounge some sort of living in cardboard shack villages outside their gated community. Makes no difference to them. I’m not sure we will even have the option of a 2nd French Revolution. Think of all the assault robots we’d have to get past. The only part I can’t figure out is how they make money once they have all the money and the people that used to buy their stuff literally have no money.

AZJonnie

(2,462 posts)
44. "Oh, hey, everybody! If you just invest in my new wiz bang inventions, soon nobody will ever have to work
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 12:11 AM
Nov 21

a day in their lives if they don't want to!"

Signed,
Every Egomaniacal Industrialist in the Past Two Centuries

PoindexterOglethorpe

(28,375 posts)
45. Assholes like him have been predicting this bullshit at least since the 1950s.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 01:56 AM
Nov 21

Anyone here old enough to remember the 1950s ought to remember the terrified predictions that robots would take over all work. Which certainly would not have been possible back then, and still isn't possible.

And of course this nonsense is the final reason I stopped getting an occasional McDonald's, because it was taking 20 minutes to get a fish sandwich and fries. Plus, the last time I did, about a year ago, it was truly awful.

BootinUp

(50,683 posts)
46. It's just a coincidence that these fantastical
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 02:02 AM
Nov 21

stories make people want to invest in his companies.

flvegan

(65,558 posts)
49. Why does anyone listen to this drug addled shitposting liar?
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 04:00 AM
Nov 21

Where's that roadster...and the robotaxis...and the full self driving? Promises made, promises forgotten.

Fuck that nazi, Elon. And fuck Tesla. Shit company, shit cars, shit leadership.

genxlib

(6,050 posts)
50. Reading between the lines
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 04:41 AM
Nov 21

He is just trying to get past the fatal flaw of Atlas Shrugged.

That is the the delusional concept that the 1% can just create their own utopian society without the people who actually get shit done. That vision always falls apart with the simple question of “Who is going to cook your food and clean your house”

Robots!

Walleye

(43,436 posts)
52. Yes, and all races and religions will live in harmony, and the world will be preserved by environmentalists
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 05:39 AM
Nov 21

bucolic_frolic

(53,504 posts)
53. There's not enough money or electricity to build out AI
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 05:51 AM
Nov 21

Most of them will be bankrupt or consolidated.

Irish_Dem

(78,490 posts)
54. This is why they are killing us off. They don't need a workforce any longer.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 05:52 AM
Nov 21

They don't need us to make them rich.

They sure as hell are not going to share their wealth so people can eat and have a roof over their head.

Culling the herd is their goal now.

Irish_Dem

(78,490 posts)
56. Musk is so rich that money has become irrelevant to him.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 05:56 AM
Nov 21

He has everything he needs and wants.
He can buy anything in the world.

He has no understanding of what it means to go hungry or be homeless.

OldBaldy1701E

(9,717 posts)
63. If money becomes irrelevant, so will you, Eloon!
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:00 AM
Nov 21

Do you really think anyone would be around you at all if not for your wealth?

Delusional to the last, I see.

Johnny2X2X

(23,638 posts)
65. LOL, the rich will never let the masses benefit from automation, period
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:09 AM
Nov 21

You think Musk and his billionaire bros are going to let regular people get anything out of their adventures?

They'd sooner just let 80% of society die off before doing anything that provides for the basic needs of people. That's actually probably their plan. USA has 75M people instead of 350M.

usedtobedemgurl

(1,897 posts)
68. Says the guy
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:55 AM
Nov 21

Who demanded an explanation of what work government employees did, to justify keeping their jobs! Also, from the guy who has close ties to a party of people who think if you are not working, you are greedy and lazy and do not deserve food or healthcare. (And they do not want it for workers, either. Yes, in a decade or so, they will be happy giving us what we NEED, and we can just stay home? Bullshit!

gulliver

(13,677 posts)
69. We, as Democrats and humans, need to ensure the "AI Dividend"
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 10:38 AM
Nov 21

I think we Democrats need to get a vision for AI, pronto. Musk's vision is excellent. We need to start using law to create a glide path toward it so that all people get their share of the "AI Dividend." For example, as AI improves productivity, we should make sure that improvement produces some mix of new jobs and "dividend payments." I, for one, picture a dividend auto-deposit or check, like during COVID.

I have little concern that we humans will find something to do. We already have people who don't work: the rich, retirees, and managers. They find things to do.

(Just a burn, managers...I love me some managers.)

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Elon Musk says that in 10...