Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk recently made a surprising prediction: he believes there could be more robots than humans by the year 2040. Speaking at a conference in Saudi Arabia, Musk explained that, with the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, robots could soon outnumber people.
Musk said:
“I think by 2040, probably there are more humanoid robots than there are people. Every country will have an AI or multiple AIs, and there will be a lot of robots, way more robots than people.”
This statement has big implications for Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. Optimus is designed to help with various tasks, from household chores to assisting in workplaces, and Musk sees it as one of Tesla’s most important future products.
Right now, the world has about 8.2 billion people, and the population is expected to grow. Musk’s prediction is bold, suggesting that robots like Optimus could match or even exceed that number by 2040.
Musk imagines a future where every country has its own AI systems and a large number of robots to help people with everyday tasks. He believes that these robots could play a central role in both homes and businesses, making life easier and boosting the economy.
What This Means for Tesla’s Optimus Robot
If Musk’s prediction is accurate, Tesla’s Optimus could be a major part of this future. Musk doesn’t see Optimus as just a side project—he thinks it could become Tesla’s most popular product.
At a recent event called “We, Robot,” Musk mentioned that he hopes Optimus will eventually cost less than $30,000, which could make it affordable for many people.
Optimus has already shown off some basic skills, like playing Rock, Paper, Scissors and following simple commands. But Musk believes it will eventually be able to do much more, like helping with household tasks, babysitting, and even dog-walking. His goal is to make Optimus a versatile robot that can assist with a wide range of tasks.
How Optimus Fits into Tesla’s AI and Robotics Plans
Tesla has been investing a lot in AI, mainly for self-driving cars, but Optimus takes things further. With Optimus, Tesla aims to create a robot that can help people at home and work, making AI a practical tool for everyday life.
Musk is known for his big, sometimes optimistic timelines, and while some projects, like Full Self-Driving, have taken longer than expected, Optimus remains a top priority for Tesla. Musk is pushing to make Optimus a reality sooner rather than later.
What a Future with More Robots Than People Could Look Like
If Musk’s vision comes true, the world in 2040 could be very different. Robots could be helping in places like elder care, supporting workers with repetitive tasks, and even assisting with household chores. Musk thinks that robots like Optimus could help reduce the demand for human labor, changing the way people live and work.
While this future may seem far away, Musk believes it’s closer than we might think. If robots like Optimus become common, they could impact everything from personal care to manufacturing, marking a new chapter in the story of robotics.
Even with Musk’s confidence, there are big challenges to making this robot-filled future a reality. Creating robots that can handle a wide variety of tasks safely and consistently will take more advancements in AI. Plus, producing robots at a large scale will require affordable manufacturing and infrastructure, as well as rules to ensure that robots integrate safely into society.
Tesla’s Optimus will need to prove it can work reliably and safely. Making Musk’s vision come true will involve tackling technical hurdles and addressing social and ethical questions about robots and AI.