Elon Musk, the world's richest person and CEO of SpaceX, has made a startling prediction regarding the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics. He stated that in the coming years, working will become an option for humans, rather than a necessity. This revelation came during an appearance on Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath's podcast, ‘People by WTF,’ sparking widespread discussion globally.
Societal Structure to Undergo Major Transformation
According to Musk, the development of AI and robotic systems is progressing at such a rapid pace that it will fundamentally alter the structure of society in less than 10 years. He believes this technological revolution will profoundly impact how we live and work, while it's not just about changing the nature of jobs, but also about a deep transformation in social fabric and economic systems. This shift implies that traditional workplaces and employment models may become obsolete.
Work Will Become a Choice
Elon Musk emphasized in his prediction that in the future, people won't need to relocate to specific cities to find employment. He envisions a future where work becomes an optional activity, while this means individuals won't be compelled to work to sustain their livelihoods; instead, they will be able to choose work based on their interests and passions. This is a future where productivity will be driven by machines, and the necessity for human labor will diminish Notably.
End of Poverty and an Era of Abundance
Musk also claimed that when most work is performed by AI, the significance of money might also diminish. He believes that AI and robots will produce everything so efficiently that everyone will have an abundance of goods and services, more than they need. Due to this abundance, problems like poverty could be eradicated. This perspective suggests a future where the struggle to meet basic needs will no longer exist, as machines will generate sufficient resources for all.
Work as a Hobby
Musk likened future work to a hobby. He explained that just as people today might grow vegetables in their gardens for pleasure rather than buying them from the market, working a job in the future will become a similar option, while people will be able to engage in creative or social endeavors according to their preferences, rather than solely for economic gain. This would be a society where personal growth and self-fulfillment are given greater importance.
Need for Technological and Social Development
However, Elon Musk also acknowledged that society and technology still have a lot of work to do to reach this stage, while he stated that we're moving towards an era where productive work will be done by machines, costs will decrease, and humans will be able to focus on their interests. This will be a long and complex process requiring not only technological innovations but also significant. Changes in social policies and frameworks to ensure that this future is equally beneficial for everyone.
