August 30, 2025 – Elon Musk, a figure often surrounded by controversy, is fundamentally an optimist at heart. Without this trait, it’s hard to imagine him founding companies like Tesla and SpaceX, or pushing forward projects such as Neuralink and xAI.
Recently, Musk’s optimistic side was on full display on the social media platform X, where he shared what could be his most upbeat prediction yet.
It all started when David Scott Patterson posted an estimate on X. Patterson believes that by 2030, AI and robots will effortlessly take over all jobs. He suggested that if robots were sold at the same rate as cars, annual production could reach a staggering 320 million units.
Musk responded to this post with an even bolder vision. He claimed that in the long run, the number of intelligent humanoid robots would far surpass the human population. Moreover, every industry would be flooded with robots providing products and services to humans.
This isn’t just idle talk; Musk is already taking concrete steps to make this future a reality. Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, is expected to have its first “legion” deployed this year. Earlier this year, during an all-hands meeting, Musk hinted to Tesla employees that the company would aim to produce around 50,000 Optimus robots next year.
Musk has expressed similar ideas in the past, which led some X users to ask him how humans would make a living once robots replaced workers. In response, Musk proposed the concept of Universal High Income (UHI). He explained that this system would provide people with the best possible healthcare, food, transportation, and more.
“There will be Universal High Income, not just a basic income. Everyone will have access to the best healthcare, food, housing, transportation, and everything else. This is the path to sustainable abundance,” Musk wrote in his post.
Interestingly, Musk’s comments on sustainable abundance seem to be a recurring theme in his recent optimistic statements. For instance, during Tesla’s second-quarter earnings call, he hinted that his “Master Plan Part 4” would outline a roadmap to achieving sustainable abundance in the era of autonomous driving.
