Elon Musk made his first-ever appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday, predicting that robots will eventually outnumber humans and that artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence within the next few years.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who has previously criticized Davos as elitist and uninteresting, appeared alongside BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in a high-profile discussion at the Swiss Alps summit. Fink opened the session with humor, urging the audience to offer Musk a more enthusiastic round of applause.
Robots to Outnumber Humans
Musk told attendees that AI and robotics will drive an unprecedented economic transformation, creating a future where machines fulfill most human needs.
“My prediction is that there will be more robots than people,” Musk said, adding that AI systems and robots will soon be capable of saturating global demand for labor and services.
He stated that Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots are expected to perform basic factory tasks by the end of 2026, with more advanced industrial work following within a year.
AI Intelligence and Human Longevity
Musk also predicted that AI would surpass the intelligence of any single human by the end of 2026, and exceed the collective intelligence of humanity within five years.
On healthcare and longevity, Musk described human ageing as “a very solvable problem,” suggesting that once its root causes are identified, solutions could emerge rapidly.
Robotaxis and Regulation
Musk confirmed that Tesla has already launched robotaxi services in several U.S. cities and expects nationwide deployment by the end of the year. He added that European regulatory approval could come as early as next month, though specific countries were not named.
Humor, Controversy, and Davos Debut
During the discussion, Musk made light-hearted remarks about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s geopolitical rhetoric, as well as joking about extraterrestrial life — a recurring theme in his public appearances.
Musk was added to the Davos agenda at the last minute, appearing one day after Trump addressed the forum. Despite his attendance, Musk has repeatedly criticized the WEF in the past, previously calling it “boring” and warning that it risked becoming “an unelected world government.”
According to Forbes, Musk’s fortune currently stands at approximately $779 billion, making him the world’s richest individual.
