Advances in artificial intelligence and robotics are taking the conversation about the future of work to entirely new territory. During the US-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum, held in Washington, DC, Elon Musk presented one of his most radical messages: within a period of 10 to 20 years, "working will be optional." His words, backed by the rapid pace of technological evolution, stirred a debate that was already gaining momentum.

Musk shared the stage with Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a roundtable discussion that focused on how the economy, energy, and social organization will change as AI takes center stage. For the entrepreneur, the combination of advanced artificial intelligence and humanoid robots will not only transform current jobs but will completely change people's relationship with wealth.

“Anyone who wants to work will do it for pleasure, like someone tending a garden,” Musk stated, reinforcing his vision of a world where productivity will be so high that economic dynamics will no longer depend on employment as it is understood today. He also asserted that in such a future, the concept of money could become secondary, limited only by physical factors such as energy or the availability of materials.

An Unprecedented Infrastructure Project

During the day, one of the most noteworthy announcements was the unveiling of a new 500-megawatt data center powered by xAI and the Saudi company Humain AI.

The project will utilize NVIDIA technology, which Jensen Huang hailed as a decisive step towards a more robust infrastructure capable of supporting the global demand for increasingly complex AI models.

Huang emphasized that the world has moved from relying on traditional information systems to embracing generative models capable of producing content, software, and responses in real time. For him, so-called “AI factories” will be as essential as electrification was during the 20th century, enabling companies to create and run advanced models at scale.

Disappearance of jobs or profound transformation?

While Musk assumed that automation will make work unnecessary, Huang presented a more nuanced view. In his view, all professions will be modified by artificial intelligence, but that doesn't imply their total disappearance. As an example, he mentioned radiology, where AI has allowed for faster image processing, increasing productivity and, surprisingly, the demand for specialists. “With more tools and more ideas, we will probably be busier,” Huang noted, emphasizing that automation doesn't always replace tasks, but rather expands human capabilities and creates new opportunities. The Saudi Crown Prince supported this idea by mentioning the positive impact of general-purpose technologies throughout history. From advanced materials capable of capturing water and CO2 to nanorobots used in genetic medicine, he explained that AI has opened doors to developments that just a few years ago seemed like science fiction. Energy, space, and a new scale of progress. Another key moment in the discussion came when Musk spoke about the expansion of AI beyond the planet. For him, achieving a Kardashev 2-type civilization—capable of harnessing enormous amounts of solar energy—will require deploying AI-equipped satellites in orbit. “In just four or five years, the cheapest way to compute AI will be in space,” Musk predicted, arguing that conditions in orbit allow for much more efficient cooling and constant access to clean energy. Huang agreed that accelerated computing already dominates the industry, noting that just six years ago most supercomputers ran solely on CPUs, while today less than 15% maintain that model. A strategic alliance for a digital future. The event concluded with a joint message: the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia has evolved from traditional energy to the digital realm, and is now consolidating around artificial intelligence. For the participants, this cooperation represents an opportunity to accelerate economic and technological development over the coming decades.

Musk's vision presents a scenario in which the abundance generated by AI makes work no longer an obligation. Whether or not it comes to fruition within the projected timeframe, his statement raises critical questions once again: What role will humans play in a hyper-automated economy? What does it mean to prosper in a world where technology produces almost everything? The debate has undoubtedly only just begun.