During a talk at the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh, Elon Musk outlined a bold picture of the future with personal robots. The Tesla CEO claimed that humanoid robots could eventually number in the tens of billions, dramatically reshaping the global economy.
“Everyone will want their personal robot,” Musk said. “You can think of it like having your own personal C-3PO or R2-D2 — but even better,” he added, referencing beloved Star Wars characters.
With this level of automation, Musk envisions a massive increase in productivity. He believes it could lead to a system he calls “universal high income,” where goods and services become so plentiful that “no one wants for anything.”
Tesla’s big bet on humanoid robots
Musk isn’t just speculating — he’s betting Tesla’s future on it. He described the company’s humanoid robot, Optimus, as potentially the “biggest product ever of any kind.” Tesla plans to build a million of them per year, although major technological and geopolitical challenges remain.
This isn’t the first time Musk has made bold claims about the impact of robots. At Dubai’s World Government Summit earlier this year, he argued that humanoid robots and advanced AI could “unlock the global economy’s potential” by delivering “quasi-infinite products and services.”
A future without work — or risk of annihilation?
Musk has repeatedly suggested that AI could eventually take over nearly every job, turning work into a matter of personal choice rather than economic necessity.
At the UK’s AI safety summit in 2023, he said AI might do “everything,” leaving humans to work only for “personal satisfaction.”
Yet despite his optimism, Musk remains cautious. Speaking in Riyadh, he acknowledged potential dangers.
“You can have a James Cameron sort of movie — you know, ‘Terminator.’ We don’t want that one,” he said. “But having sort of a ‘Star Trek’ future would be great.“
In a 2023 episode of the All-In podcast, Musk even estimated a 20% risk of “human annihilation” from AI.
Robotaxis and Saudi Arabia’s tech ambitions
Musk also highlighted his interest in bringing Tesla’s robotaxis to Saudi Arabia. “You can think of future cars as being robots on four wheels,” he said.
Tesla aims to begin a robotaxi pilot in Austin this June, though Musk didn’t offer a specific timeline for expansion into the Middle East.
Saudi officials are already showing enthusiasm. Robotaxis align with their Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil.
Meanwhile, Uber is advancing its own autonomous vehicle plans in the region. The company has teamed up with Chinese tech firm Pony.AI and signed a deal with Saudi Arabia’s transport authority. Uber’s local partner, Careem, remains the dominant ride-hailing app in the Middle East.
