Overview
- Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Musk said AI might be smarter than any human by the end of this year or next and could exceed all of humanity’s intelligence by around 2030–31.
- Musk said Tesla’s Optimus robots are doing simple tasks in factories and that consumer sales could begin by the end of next year if high safety and reliability thresholds are met.
- He argued electricity supply could become the main brake on AI growth, pointing to solar power and grid capacity as more limiting than chips or model design.
- Musk predicted an economic surge from widespread AI and robotics, said robots could eventually outnumber people, and urged careful development to avoid worst‑case outcomes.
- Researchers and commentators questioned the feasibility of Musk’s compressed timelines, while other Davos voices highlighted infrastructure needs, workforce impacts, and tighter controls on advanced chips.