AI, robotics will make work optional in 10-20 years: Musk
What's the story
Elon Musk, the billionaire tech entrepreneur, has predicted that work could become optional in the next 10-20 years. The prediction was made during a conversation with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on the People by WTF podcast. Musk's vision of a future where human labor isn't essential for survival is largely due to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
Future outlook
Musk's vision of a future without work
Musk said, "My prediction is that, in the future, working will be optional. People can play this back in 20 years and say it was wrong, but I think it will be correct." He further explained his vision by comparing future work to the choice of growing vegetables at home or buying them from a store. This analogy highlighted how some people may prefer certain tasks while others may not need them for survival.
Tech impact
Technological advancements could make goods and services readily available
Musk also emphasized that technological advancements could make goods and services readily available to everyone. He said, "I'm confident that if AI and robotics continue to advance—and they are advancing very fast—working will be optional, and people will have any goods and services they want."