08/09/2026
Elon Musk has suggested that artificial intelligence and humanoid robots could reshape the global economy so profoundly that money might lose much of its significance by 2036. He shared this vision in a recent interview with The Economist.
Musk predicts that within roughly five years, AI will surpass the total intelligence of all humans combined. If AI and billions of robots can generate an abundance of goods and services, he argues, people may no longer need money as we know it—since nearly everything could become widely accessible.
He also noted that AI's rapid advancement could drive deflation, lowering the cost of goods and services as production becomes cheaper and more efficient.
Still, despite his hopeful outlook, Musk cautioned that powerful AI carries serious risks. He urged leading AI companies to hold regular safety consultations and subject their most advanced models to peer review before release, in order to catch potential threats early.
