Elon Musk Predicts Robots Will Unlock “Universal High Income” at Saudi Tech Event

At a high-profile tech event in Saudi Arabia, Elon Musk joined President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the future of innovation, productivity, and global collaboration. Speaking to an audience of Saudi and international leaders, Musk shared his sweeping vision for how humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles, AI, and advanced infrastructure could radically reshape the global economy — and human life itself.

Musk’s remarks touched on a future where abundance replaces scarcity, driven by breakthroughs in robotics and AI. He argued that new technologies could unlock levels of prosperity that dwarf today’s standards, provided they are developed and deployed responsibly.

Humanoid Robots and a Future of "Universal High Income"

During the event, Musk showcased Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots, demonstrating their ability to walk, interact, and even dance to "YMCA." He predicted that in the coming decades, "tens of billions" of humanoid robots could be deployed worldwide, fundamentally transforming daily work and life.

Rather than stoking fears about mass unemployment, Musk framed robotics as a catalyst for unprecedented wealth creation. "Sometimes they talk about universal basic income," he said. "I think it’s actually going to be universal high income, where anyone can have any goods or services that they want."

Musk argued that widespread adoption of humanoid robots could massively expand global productivity, saying, "Once you have humanoid robots, the actual economic output potential is tremendous; it's really unlimited. Potentially, we could have an economy ten times the size of the current global economy where no one wants for anything."

By massively increasing productivity without the limitations of human labor, Musk suggested that humanoid robots would enable widespread access to goods and services — creating a future where "everyone gets what they want, if we get it right."

From Oil to Innovation: A Shared Vision for Growth

Musk praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts to transition from an oil-driven economy to one fueled by innovation, technology, and human capital. He emphasized that embracing robotics, AI, and autonomous systems would not only transform the kingdom but could also position it as a global leader in emerging industries.

He aligned his vision with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions, calling technology-driven productivity "essential for unlocking the next stage of global economic growth."

Robo-Taxis and Future Mobility

Turning to transportation, Musk described autonomous vehicles as "robots on four wheels" and voiced enthusiasm about introducing Tesla’s robo-taxi technology to Saudi Arabia.

He also pitched expanding The Boring Company’s tunnel networks to the kingdom’s cities, offering an underground solution to traffic congestion.

"Tunnels are underappreciated," Musk said, explaining that they could function like "warp tunnels" between different parts of a city, dramatically cutting travel time and improving urban mobility.

Starlink Expansion for Maritime and Aviation

Connectivity was another major theme. Musk announced that Starlink had been approved for maritime and aviation use in Saudi Arabia, expanding internet access for ships, planes, and remote areas.

He thanked Saudi leadership for supporting Starlink’s rollout, describing improved global connectivity as "critical infrastructure for the digital economy."

X.AI and the Quest to Understand the Universe

In addition to robots and infrastructure, Musk touched on his latest venture, X.AI, which aims to build a "maximally truth-seeking AI" focused on understanding the deepest questions of the universe.

"The hardest part is figuring out what questions to ask," Musk explained. "Once you know the question, the answer is usually the easy part."

He described X.AI’s mission as one rooted in curiosity — not just about practical applications, but about advancing human understanding of reality itself.

To watch the full video clip of Elon Musk’s remarks, click below.

What This Means

Musk’s remarks offer a bold reimagining of how technology could reshape economic life. By framing humanoid robots as a way to unlock "universal high income," he challenges traditional fears that automation will lead to widespread unemployment and inequality. Instead, Musk envisions a future where productivity is no longer constrained by human labor, and where abundance makes essential goods and services accessible to all.

The idea that robots could multiply economic output by tenfold rests on a simple but radical shift: machines would no longer just assist human workers — they would dramatically extend what individuals, companies, and entire economies can produce. Tasks that once required human time and attention could be scaled almost infinitely, freeing people to focus on creativity, exploration, and higher-order problem-solving.

Yet achieving this vision would demand major societal adaptation. Economies built around human labor markets would need to evolve, redefining work, value, and opportunity in ways that support dignity and meaning in an age of machine-driven productivity. New policies, education systems, and social structures may be needed to ensure that the benefits of abundance are distributed widely, not concentrated narrowly.

As Saudi Arabia’s investments suggest, nations that position themselves early in this shift could gain significant advantages in a new, AI-powered global economy.

Whether Musk’s predictions fully materialize or not, the underlying message is clear: the future will belong to those who see technology not as a threat to manage, but as a force that could define new standards for productivity, prosperity, and exploration in the decades ahead.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.