Elon Musk at Davos 2026: Technology Paving the Way to a More Abundant Future
January 24, 2026 — Davos, Switzerland
At the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, technology titan Elon Musk shared his insightful vision on how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and solar power hold the key to unlocking a future of unprecedented global abundance. Joined by Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, Musk engaged in a broad-ranging discussion on the transformative potential of technology and how it could shape the future of civilization.
The Promise of AI and Robotics
Elon Musk emphasized that AI and robotics stand as pivotal pillars in ushering in an era where abundance becomes accessible worldwide. According to Musk, if AI can be made ubiquitous and affordable, paired with widespread deployment of robotics, the resulting explosion in global economic growth would be "beyond all precedent."
Humanoid robots, in particular, could revolutionize productivity by performing a wide range of tasks—from industrial labor to caregiving—helping to tackle labor shortages, reduce costs, and support aging populations. Musk illustrated this economic potential by suggesting productivity could be assessed as the product of a robot’s average output multiplied by the number of robots deployed.
When challenged by Fink on the implications for human purpose in a world dominated by robots, Musk responded with an optimistic perspective on inclusive well-being. He argued that true prosperity cannot coexist with scarcity and limited opportunities; instead, technology-driven abundance could ensure well-being for all, moving beyond the constraints of traditional labor.
“We are in the most interesting time in history,” Musk remarked, underscoring the dynamic pace and transformative implications of current technological advances.
The Central Role of Energy and Solar Power
While recognizing the rapid decrease in AI costs, Musk pointed out that energy availability remains the critical bottleneck. He cautioned that despite the ability to produce more computer chips than ever before, the lack of sufficient electrification capacity limits the capability to fully scale AI and data centers.
Solar energy emerged as the linchpin for surmounting this energy challenge. Musk highlighted that a relatively modest land area—about 100 miles by 100 miles of solar panels—could supply the entire United States with clean electricity. He noted contrasting national approaches, pointing to China’s aggressive expansion of solar and nuclear energy, while tariff barriers in the US and Europe continue to slow large-scale solar deployment.
Musk also disclosed that Tesla and SpaceX are independently working to build up to 100 gigawatts of solar manufacturing capacity annually within the US, a move poised to accelerate the transition to sustainable electrification.
Looking further afield, Musk projected a future where solar-powered AI data centers located in space could leverage uninterrupted sunlight and efficient cooling to become economically viable. “Beyond Earth, the Sun rounds up to 100% of all energy,” he said, envisioning a future where space-based solar infrastructure plays a key role.
Space Exploration and the Economics of Reusability
SpaceX’s mission also featured prominently in Musk’s vision, framed around the importance of preserving life and consciousness in the universe. SpaceX aims to achieve full reusability of its Starship rocket, which Musk likened to aviation where only refueling occurs between flights rather than discarding the entire craft. Achieving reusability could reduce launch costs by a factor of 100, dramatically expanding access to space.
This breakthrough would enable a host of possibilities—from deploying large satellite constellations to constructing solar power infrastructure in space and advancing human missions to Mars.
The Accelerating Pace of Artificial Intelligence
The pace of AI advancement, Musk said, is exponential. He boldly predicted that "we might have AI that is smarter than any human by the end of this year" and foresaw a time within five years when AI could surpass humanity’s collective intelligence.
Despite the risks—including dystopian scenarios associated with unchecked AI—Musk remained hopeful, emphasizing the importance of optimism about technology’s potential benefits rather than succumbing to pessimism.
A Personal Philosophy Rooted in Optimism and Curiosity
Reflecting on what drives him personally, Musk traced his inspiration back to a childhood passion for science fiction, fantasy, and comic books. This early love for imaginative storytelling fueled his lifelong quest to turn visionary ideas into reality through technology.
At the heart of Musk’s worldview is a boundless curiosity—a deep desire to understand the workings of the universe, uncover unanswered questions, and apply technological innovation to explore new frontiers.
Concluding his remarks, Musk offered an encouraging call to action: “I would encourage everyone to be optimistic and excited about the future good. And generally, I think for quality of life, it is actually better to err on the side of being an optimist and wrong rather than a pessimist and right.”
The conversation at Davos highlighted the intertwined futures of AI, sustainable energy, robotics, and space exploration, presenting a collective vision where technological progress could elevate humanity to new heights of prosperity and understanding.
Watch the full session here: [World Economic Forum Davos 2026 – Elon Musk & Larry Fink Discussion]
Reported by Sophia Akram, Forum Agenda, World Economic Forum
Image credit: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
