Elon Musk has warned that artificial intelligence is a "supersonic tsunami" that will dramatically transform the workforce, rendering many desk-based, digitally focused jobs obsolete. Speaking on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Musk compared the coming shift to the transition from manual calculations to computers, saying the impact will be just as profound—though far more rapid. "I think there will be actually a high demand for jobs, but not necessarily the same jobs," Musk said. "This process has been happening throughout modern history, but now it's accelerating at an unprecedented pace." He emphasized that AI is already replacing and will continue to displace digital work—especially roles that involve sitting at a computer performing repetitive or cognitive tasks—“like lightning.” Musk noted that not all jobs are at risk. Physical labor, such as farming, construction, and food preparation, is less likely to be automated in the near term because it involves moving physical objects. "Anything that's physically moving atoms, like cooking food or farming, those jobs will exist for a much longer time," he said. "But anything that is digital—just someone at a computer doing something—AI is going to take over those jobs." Despite the disruption, Musk remains optimistic about AI’s long-term potential, provided it doesn’t spiral into a dystopian future akin to the Terminator films. In a more positive scenario, he envisions a world of "universal high income," where AI and robotics make all goods and services accessible to everyone. "Ultimately, working will be optional because you'll have robots plus AI," he said. "We'll have universal high income—not just universal basic income. Anyone can have any products or services they want." However, Musk acknowledged the significant social and economic upheaval that will accompany this transition. "There will be a lot of trauma and disruption along the way," he admitted. His views echo concerns raised by other AI leaders. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently predicted that AI could eliminate up to half of entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. While OpenAI’s Sam Altman has questioned the scale of that forecast, the debate over AI’s impact on employment remains intense. Musk believes the future depends on how humanity guides AI’s development. "Not every path is a good path," he said. But if we steer AI toward truth-seeking and curiosity, he believes it will naturally align with human flourishing. "I think AI will want to take care of humanity and foster humanity because we're interesting."