Written by Elon Musk Vision: Work Could Feel Like Playing Sports or a Video Game
Elon Musk recently made headlines with his work optional future prediction, stating that in the next 10 to 20 years, work could become optional and money might lose its meaning altogether. Speaking at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, Musk described this as a direct outcome of rapid advances in AI and humanoid robots that will automate most jobs and reshape society.
Elon Musk compared future work to a hobby: “It’ll be like playing sports or a video game … Some people will work because they enjoy it, not because they must.” He even suggested currency could become irrelevant, envisioning a world where “money will stop being relevant at some point.” His inspiration? The sci-fi “Culture” series by Iain M. Banks — a utopian future where abundance renders money unnecessary. Musk’s own robotics ambitions fuel this vision. He singled out Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot as a potential game-changer — one that could take over repetitive labor, democratize access to services, and even “eliminate poverty.” According to him, a robot-dominated economy could lead to “universal high income” — not just a basic income, but a generous system that ensures access to goods and services without needing traditional employment.
Why His Prediction Feels More Realistic with Musk’s Other Moves
Here’s where things get interesting: Musk’s projection comes amid a surge in related trends. People are buzzing about remote-controlled vehicles, luxury electric cars, and EV pick-ups — themes tightly linked to Musk’s interests and companies. Topics like the Cyber Truck Remote Control Car, Bugatti, and GMC Hummer EV are gaining traction, reflecting a broader shift toward automation and high-tech mobility.
At the same time, controversy centers on Musk’s $1 trillion pay package. Some critics argue that if money truly becomes irrelevant, his massive compensation deal feels tone-deaf — or even strategic.
This prediction aligns with his long-standing belief that technology will transform human life. Elon Musk says the work-optional future will give people a choice, where work becomes a hobby or passion rather than a financial necessity. He explained, ‘It’ll be like playing sports or a video game… Some people will work because they enjoy it, not because they must.
What It Could Mean for the Future (and the Economy)
If Musk’s vision comes to pass, we could see tectonic shifts in global economics. Instead of mid-sized companies competing in a traditional labor market, big tech giants like Tesla, Nvidia, Google, and Amazon might steer our economies — almost like countries themselves. Automation could funnel productivity into a small set of powerful players who own the robots and the AI.
Even though critics backlash — arguing that mid-size firms can’t afford to automate at that scale — Musk’s argument is subtle: maybe the transition was already “leaked”. In his world, the Big 7 (Tesla, Google, Amazon, etc.) could gain even more control, not just over tech, but over global wealth and economic direction.