On September 26, 2026, Elon Musk shared his forecast regarding the future of the economy, suggesting that the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics will allow for the production of significantly more goods and services than humanity can consume. According to him, this will lead to the disappearance of the traditional scarcity economy.
Concept of Universal High Income
Throughout 2026, Musk has repeatedly expressed the idea of Universal High Income instead of the traditional basic income. He believes that with the advancement of AI, a significant portion of human labor will be replaced, and robotic systems will greatly enhance productivity, which in turn will lead to lower prices for many goods and services.
Example of the Castle
Musk provided a simple example: if a person needs their own castle, a army of robots could build it. He emphasizes that the number of machines will be so vast that they will be able to satisfy virtually any human demand.
Wealth Distribution Issues
However, despite the optimistic forecast, Musk points out an important question: who will own the AI, robots, energy, land, and factories? How will the wealth created by these technologies be distributed? The mere increase in production does not guarantee that all people will have access to this wealth. This is one of the main weaknesses of such forecasts, as noted by economists.