Musk makes Davos debut with promise of robots for all
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- Musk highlights AI, Optimus robots, and future tech at Davos, predicting humanoid robots for consumers by next year.
- He emphasizes optimism and technological progress while avoiding controversies around Grok AI and social media.
Elon Musk, the tech entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, made a highly anticipated first-ever appearance at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, delivering a largely upbeat vision of artificial intelligence and robotics while avoiding more controversial topics.
Speaking in front of a packed conference hall in conversation with Larry Fink, interim chair of the World Economic Forum and CEO of BlackRock, Musk steered clear of recent criticisms aimed at some of his ventures, instead outlining ambitious predictions about the future of technology.
Robots and AI: Transforming Daily Life
Musk emphasized the transformative potential of advanced robotics and AI. Tesla’s humanoid robots, known as “Optimus,” are already performing basic tasks in company factories and are expected to undertake more complex functions later this year. Consumer availability is anticipated by the end of next year once safety and reliability standards are met.
“Who wouldn’t want a robot to watch over your kids, take care of your pet… or protect an elderly parent?” Musk said, highlighting how ubiquitous robotics could enhance everyday life.
He also predicted AI models surpassing human intelligence could emerge by the end of this year or next, driven by rapid advances in computing power and software.
Expanding Technological Horizons
Musk touched on Tesla’s broader ambitions, including autonomous driving technology. Regulatory approval for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software in Europe and China is expected soon, though details remain limited.
Despite previously calling Davos “boring,” Musk framed his remarks around optimism, human ingenuity, and the potential of technology to solve global challenges.
“Generally, I think that for quality of life, it is actually better to err on the side of being an optimist and wrong, rather than being a pessimist and right,” he concluded.
Avoiding Controversies
Musk did not address recent controversies, including sexualized deepfakes created with his Grok AI tool or criticisms of misinformation on his social media platform X.
His subdued appearance contrasted with past public critiques of global institutions, keeping the focus on the future of technology rather than previous disputes.
