Billionaire entrepreneur and Tesla/SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has declared that money itself could become largely irrelevant by 2036, as artificial intelligence and robotics drive an era of radical abundance.
Speaking in a recent interview with Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist, for the publication’s “Insider” series, Musk stated: “Money won’t matter in 2036.”
When pressed on the bold prediction, Musk asked: “What do you want money for?” He argued that once AI systems and robots can produce more food, housing, transportation, goods, and services than any human could possibly consume, the traditional purpose of currency as a medium of exchange and store of value will fade.
“If the robots and AI are providing more goods and services than any human could possibly consume, what do you need money for in that case?” Musk said.
The Tesla and xAI founder predicted that this surge in productivity would lead to deflation rather than inflation, as supply dramatically outstrips demand. In such a world of post-scarcity, he suggested, governments might simply issue direct payments or checks to citizens to support people whose jobs have been automated away a concept he has previously described in terms of “universal high income.”
Musk’s comments build on his long-standing view that advanced AI and humanoid robots will fundamentally transform the economy, making work optional for most people and shifting the basis of value away from labor and capital as currently understood. He has previously suggested that energy, rather than money, could emerge as a more fundamental measure of value in an AI-driven future.
The interview, conducted at a Tesla facility, also touched on broader topics including Musk’s role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), social media commentary, and the societal challenges of rapid technological change. Musk described the coming AI era as both exhilarating and potentially terrifying.
Musk’s prediction has quickly drawn widespread attention, sparking discussion about the future of work, economic systems, and what human purpose might look like in a world of near-limitless material abundance.