“Working will become optional in the future”: Elon Musk’s bold prediction reshapes India’s work-hours debate

Elon Musk foresees a world within the next 10–20 years where AI and robotics make human labour optional, offering a sharp contrast to India’s ongoing push for longer workweeks.

A provocative perspective has emerged in the global conversation on work culture, with Elon Musk predicting a future where human labour becomes optional. Speaking on the podcast People by WTF with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Musk projected that artificial intelligence and robotics could advance so rapidly that, within the next 10 to 20 years, most jobs may no longer require human involvement unless someone voluntarily chooses to work.

Also Read:Samantha Ruth Prabhu marries director Raj Nidimoru in an intimate ceremony in Coimbatore

The remarks arrive at a time when India is engaged in a heated debate on productivity and workplace expectations. Business leaders such as Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and L&T CEO SN Subrahmanyan have advocated 70-90-hour workweeks, citing the need for accelerated national growth. Musk’s prediction offers a strikingly different outlook, suggesting that technology itself may redefine the fundamentals of work.

During the conversation, he noted that geographical proximity to offices will soon become irrelevant, with future jobs no longer demanding presence in cities. Changing lifestyle trends, including global movements toward shorter workweeks, also entered the discussion. Responding humorously to the idea of reduced schedules, Musk acknowledged that founders and innovators would still require long hours, but he stressed that most other professions would eventually be automated.

Also Read:Lakshman Singh assumes charge as K-RIDE MD, promises faster suburban rail push

He further described a future where work resembles a personal hobby rather than an economic necessity. Comparisons were drawn to home gardening, an optional activity rather than a survival requirement, framing a world where robots and AI handle essential tasks, creating what he referred to as an “Age of Abundance.”

Experts, however, point out that such a future would depend on equitable distribution of technological benefits and major shifts in economic governance. Still, Musk’s comments offer a compelling counter-narrative in India’s current climate, where calls for extended work hours remain strong.