At the 8th Future Investment Initiative conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared his vision for the future of robotics and AI, predicting that by 2040, there could be as many as 10 billion humanoid robots priced between $20,000 and $25,000.
Tesla’s Optimus robot, currently under development, is Musk’s focal point for the future of robotics. He suggested that the Optimus robot could lead to a dramatic increase in Tesla’s market value. “Robotic taxis make Tesla about a $5 trillion company,” Musk explained, “The Optimus Robot, I think, makes Tesla a $25 trillion company.” This estimate underscores Musk’s confidence in Tesla’s trajectory and the role humanoid robots will play in that growth.
Beyond robotics, Musk delved into societal concerns and future technological ambitions. He addressed the pressing issue of population decline, describing it as a critical challenge for humanity’s future. Musk also spoke about the importance of “maximally truth-seeking” artificial intelligence, cautioning that some AI systems are being trained with what he termed a “woke, nihilistic” philosophy that deviates from core truths.
Lastly, Musk touched upon his longstanding ambition of Mars exploration, discussing potential timelines for sending spacecraft to Mars. He reiterated his commitment to advancing space technology, with a vision of enabling interplanetary travel in the near future.
