Davos 2026: Robots, AI, and solar power could power humanity’s next leap, says Elon Musk

Billionaire Elon Musk predicted Thursday that humanoid robots could soon outnumber humans, fundamentally reshaping the global economy and daily life.

Speaking at his first-ever World Economic Forum session in Davos, Musk outlined a future where artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics create “sustainable abundance” for all.

“AI and robotics are really the path to abundance for all,” Musk told BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in a one-on-one discussion. According to Musk, if billions of humanoid robots are built, productivity skyrockets. “Robots could take care of children, pets, and elderly parents. This creates abundance for everyone. I’m very optimistic about the future.”

Safeguarding the future

The Tesla and SpaceX chief executive emphasized that these technologies, along with advances in energy and space, share a single engineering goal: maximizing civilization’s long-term survival and extending consciousness beyond Earth.

Musk cited SpaceX’s mission to make life multi-planetary as critical to safeguarding humanity. “Consciousness is extremely rare and delicate. We need to ensure it’s not extinguished,” he said.

On the energy front, Musk said power supply remains the biggest bottleneck for AI and robotics. He highlighted solar energy as a solution, noting that a 100-mile-by-100-mile solar array in parts of Utah, Nevada, or New Mexico could power the entire United States. He also promoted plans for space-based solar satellites capable of supplying massive energy for AI data centers.

“You could take a small corner of Utah, Nevada or New Mexico, a very small percentage of the area of the US, to generate all of the electricity that the US uses,” Musk said. 

Musk noted that high US tariffs on solar panels have slowed large-scale deployment, unlike China, which produces most solar panels at low cost. He added that SpaceX and Tesla are independently building 100 gigawatts of solar power in the US, a project expected to take about three years, and encouraged other countries to pursue similar large-scale solar efforts.

Project updates

Turning to robotics, Musk said Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots are already performing simple tasks in factories, with more complex industrial functions expected by the end of the year. 

“By the end of next year, we hope to sell humanoid robots to the public with high safety and functionality,” Musk said.

On space, Musk highlighted Starship’s goal of full reusability as a game-changer, potentially reducing launch costs by a factor of 100. With solar power in space, panels are five times more efficient than on Earth, thanks to continuous sunlight and cooler conditions. Musk sees space-based solar as ideal for powering AI data centers within the next two to three years.

Looking ahead, Musk predicts AI smarter than any human will emerge by the end of this year or next, and by 2030-2031, AI could surpass the collective intelligence of all humanity.

Sci-fi and comic books

Reflecting on his personal motivations, Musk credited childhood exposure to science fiction and comic books for inspiring his vision.

The discussion with Fink also touched on the potential to extend human life, sustainable technology, and the need for optimism in tackling global challenges. Musk concluded: “It’s better to be an optimist and wrong than a pessimist and right.”

About The Author

Nathaniel Alexander Abaño

See author's posts