The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is going to cause big changes in the job market according to Elon Musk. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX recently stated that AI will probably take over so many human jobs that having a traditional job will become optional in the future.
Speaking at a tech conference in Paris, Musk predicted, “Probably none of us will have a job. If you want to do a job that’s kind of like a hobby, you can. But otherwise, AI and robots will provide any goods and services that you want.”
What is Universal High Income?
Musk explained that for this jobless scenario to work, society would need to have a “universal high income.” This doesn’t mean giving everyone the same paycheck no matter what, which is called universal basic income. Instead, universal high income envisions a world where AI makes most labor so cheap that everyone’s basic needs are affordable.
“There would be no shortage of goods or services,” Musk said about AI’s potential. While today’s AI is progressing rapidly, researchers found that workplaces are adopting it slower than many had expected so far.
Experts believe many jobs that require high emotional intelligence from humans are less likely to be fully automated soon. These include roles like mental health counselors, teachers, and creative professionals.
Elon Musk’s Biggest Fear: Advanced AI
However, Musk views AI’s capability to eventually surpass humans as his “biggest fear.” He referenced the sci-fi “Culture” book series which imagines an advanced AI-run civilization as the most realistic vision of an AI-dominated future.
Musk wonders if human life would feel purposeful and meaningful when “the computer and robots can do everything better than you.” Though, he added humans may give AI itself meaning in such a world.
Beyond jobs, Musk issued a warning to parents that social media platforms are essentially “programming” kids using algorithms focused on maximizing dopamine responses through addictive behavior patterns.
“They’re being programmed by a dopamine-maximizing AI,” Musk cautioned about children’s social media use, advising limits.
Musk’s 2025 Prediction: AI Smarter Than Humans
Musk had also recently claimed “AI will be smarter than any human by the end of 2025.” Some AI experts think this rapid progression to superintelligent AI could be plausible based on AI’s current trajectory.
While extremely capable AI could make labor largely optional, Musk ponders whether such a future would truly fulfill human needs for purpose – or if humanity may give artificial intelligence itself a higher meaning and direction.