Musk's Vision of a Future Without Mandatory Work Ignites Discussions on the Practicality of AI and Social Disparities

Elon Musk has forecasted that within the next decade or two, employment will become a matter of personal preference and financial concerns will diminish, all due to rapid progress in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. During his appearance at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., the

CEO compared the future of work to a hobby, much like tending a vegetable garden—something people may choose to do for enjoyment, but no longer out of necessity . "If you decide to work, it’s similar to choosing between buying vegetables at a store or growing them at home," Musk explained, .

Musk’s outlook is based on a world where countless robots take over physically demanding jobs, driving productivity so high that people can work for pleasure rather than for survival. His $470 billion company, Tesla,

, with Musk projecting that 80% of Tesla’s value will eventually come from its Optimus humanoid robots. Still, many economists question how soon this will happen. Ioana Marinescu, an economist at the University of Pennsylvania, points out that while AI is spreading quickly, robotics still struggle with high costs and scaling issues . "As technology matures, diminishing returns often appear," she said, referencing the industrial revolution as an example from history.

The idea of a future where scarcity is eliminated and money becomes obsolete is inspired by science fiction writer Iain M. Banks’ Culture series, which

. Musk has voiced similar concepts, proposing that a “universal high income” could take the place of traditional jobs . His statements are in line with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s support for universal basic income, though specific policy proposals have yet to be developed .

At the same time, AI-driven changes are already transforming industries. For example, the worldwide Energy Management Systems (EMS) market is expected to rise from $56 billion in 2025 to $219.3 billion by 2034, . This growth highlights AI’s impact on streamlining operations, though obstacles like steep initial investments and complicated integration remain, especially for smaller firms .

Major corporations are also evolving. C3.ai, a top provider of AI solutions for businesses,

. Nevertheless, C3.ai has faced its own financial setbacks— —illustrating the unpredictable nature of the AI industry. The company, which pulled its annual revenue forecast amid executive changes, .

Critics say Musk’s optimistic outlook ignores significant social and political barriers. Anton Korinek, an economist at the University of Virginia, cautions that a society where work is optional could disrupt social bonds,

. Samuel Solomon, a labor economist from Temple University, adds that achieving inclusive prosperity—and not worsening inequality—will demand strong policy measures . Torsten Slok of Apollo Global Management observes that AI-driven wealth has already increased disparities, with the “Magnificent 7” stocks outpacing the rest .

As discussions about AI’s broader effects continue, Musk’s forecasts remain at the center of attention. Whether his vision of a society beyond work becomes reality will hinge not only on technological breakthroughs but also on tackling inequality and redefining human roles in an automated world

.