Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has predicted that money could become largely irrelevant by 2036, arguing that advances in artificial intelligence and robotics will create an era where goods and services become so abundant that traditional economic systems may no longer function as they do today.
Musk made the prediction during an interview with The Economist, where he discussed the long-term impact of AI on jobs, production and the global economy.
‘Money Won’t Matter’
During the interview, Musk declared, “Money won’t matter in 2036.”
When asked to explain the statement, he said money exists primarily to exchange for goods and services such as food, housing, transportation and entertainment.
According to him, if artificial intelligence and robots become capable of producing more goods and services than people could ever consume, there would be little need for money.
“If the robots and AI are providing more goods and services than any human could possibly consume, what do you need money for in that case?” he asked.
Government Support for Citizens
Responding to concerns that widespread AI adoption could eliminate millions of jobs, Musk suggested governments could provide direct financial support to citizens.
“I think the Treasury should just simply issue people cheques,” he said.
When questioned about the inflationary effect of printing money, Musk argued that the future economy would be driven by abundance rather than scarcity.
He maintained that inflation reflects the relationship between money and available goods and services, adding that if AI dramatically increases production, deflation—not inflation—could become the bigger challenge.
‘Exhilarating and Terrifying’
Musk acknowledged that the transition to an AI-driven economy could be difficult and unpredictable.
Describing his feelings about the technology, he said AI is both “exhilarating and terrifying.”
“Honestly, if you ask me on any given day, in fact, even intraday, I’ve gone from exhilaration to terror regarding AI,” he added.
Musk’s comments have reignited global discussions about the future of work, universal basic income and the economic impact of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.
“Money won’t matter in 2036 if robots and AI provide more goods and services than any human could possibly consume” — Billionaire Elon Musk predicts pic.twitter.com/PMoO5xkAl1
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) July 25, 2026
