When Work Becomes Optional and Money Irrelevant
In a conversation at the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum on November 19, 2025, Elon Musk delivered one of his trademark bold visions for the near future: he suggested that thanks to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics, work may become optional and money may become irrelevant within the next 10 to 20 years.
Musk’s argument is striking: imagine a world where machines and AI handle essentially all the labor that humans currently perform — especially the routine, digital, and repetitive tasks — leaving us free to pursue activities out of choice and passion, rather than necessity. As he put it: “Working will be optional, like growing your own vegetables instead of buying them from the store.”
The Vision: Automation, Abundance, and Optional Work
Musk paints a picture of a “benign scenario” of AI-driven abundance:
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Robotics + AI reach such productivity that many jobs vanish or become highly optional.
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This frees humans from the compulsion to work simply to survive. Instead, they may engage in work because they choose to — like a hobby, art, or gardening.
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Eventually, he says, money “becomes irrelevant” because if goods and services are produced at such low marginal cost by machines, traditional currency-based economic mechanisms may no longer be necessary.
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He also explicitly references the idea of “universal high income” (not just a basic income) as part of this future.
Why This Isn’t Just Sci-Fi
Though it sounds fantastical, the argument builds on very real trends:
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AI systems are increasingly automating tasks formerly done by humans — especially digital/desk jobs. Musk calls the pace “supersonic tsunami”.
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Robotics and AI are reducing costs of production and enabling higher productivity, meaning the economic model of “labor exchanged for wages” may be disrupted.
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Scholars and economists are already debating the implications of a “post-work economy” or “automated economy” where traditional labor is no longer central.
But — The Road is Far from Smooth
Musk doesn’t claim this future is guaranteed or immediately stable. He acknowledges “there’s a lot of work left” and that the transition will likely bring trauma and disruption.
Key challenges include:
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Economic displacement: If machines take over many jobs, what happens to the people displaced? How is income maintained?
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Social meaning: If work is voluntary, how do people find purpose, identity and structure in society? Musk himself says, “the question will really be one of meaning.”
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Inequality & power: If capital (the machines/AI) replaces labor, owners of capital may amass disproportionate wealth — raising issues of fairness, distribution, and governance.
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Technical & ethical hurdles: Full-scale robotics and AI at the scale required are still under development. Musk’s own robotics project (Optimus) is one part of this vision — but has its own challenges.
What This Means For You — And Us
If Musk’s vision holds any part of truth, the implications for individuals, businesses, governments and societies are profound. Here are some things to consider:
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For workers: The kinds of jobs that are safe may shift further toward human-centric roles — emotion, creativity, physical presence, interpersonal skills. Soft skills, adaptability and lifelong learning become even more critical.
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For businesses: Companies may move from “employee cost” models to “machine/AI cost” models. Value creation might shift dramatically. Those who adapt quickly may thrive, while others may struggle.
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For governments/policy makers: Policies around income support, wealth distribution, education, labor rights and taxation will likely need re-thinking. If traditional employment is less central — what replaces it?
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For society/culture: If work isn’t required to live, then what becomes human purpose? Leisure, passion projects, community, exploration might dominate. But cultural norms tied to work will shift — and not always easily.
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For individuals: It may be wise to think proactively: What do I want to do if work becomes optional? What skills or passions would I pursue? How do I build a life that isn’t dependent solely on a paycheck?
Final Thoughts
Elon Musk’s vision is bold — perhaps extreme — but it invites us to ask one of the most fundamental questions: What is work for? If machines can take over many tasks, then work isn’t just about earning a living — it becomes optional. And if money becomes irrelevant, then our entire economic and social system may need re-imagining.
We don’t have to wait 10–20 years to start adapting. The shifts are already underway. What matters now is how we shape the transition: Will it lead to greater freedom and flourishing for all — or will it deepen inequality and dislocation?
As Musk says, “Probably positive” is the outlook — but the “probably” is a big word. The future isn’t pre-written. How we respond matters.
source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/technology/elon-musk-suggests-ai-will-make-work-optional-and-money-irrelevant-in-the-near-future/ar-AA1QPd2Y