At the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum on Monday, Elon Musk painted a bold vision for the future, predicting that artificial intelligence and robotics will eventually render money irrelevant. Speaking alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Musk argued that as AI and automation advance, traditional economic systems will no longer be necessary. “There will still be constraints on power like electricity and mass,” Musk said, “but I think at some point currency becomes irrelevant.” He referenced the science fiction works of Iain Banks, particularly the Culture series, which depict societies where advanced AI and technology have eliminated scarcity and the need for labor or money. Musk described these books as a useful framework for understanding a plausible, positive future shaped by AI. He also suggested that work itself will become optional—akin to hobbies like playing sports or video games. Drawing a comparison to gardening, Musk said, “It's much harder to grow vegetables in your backyard, but some people still do it because they like growing vegetables.” In the future, he said, work will be similarly voluntary: something people choose to do out of passion, not necessity. Musk has consistently promoted this vision over recent months. At a recent investor meeting, he reiterated that eliminating poverty is only possible through technological breakthroughs—specifically, through AI and robotics like Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot. “There's actually only one way to do that,” he said, “and that's with the Optimus robot.” He also discussed the need for a new economic model in this future. In a previous conversation with Joe Rogan, Musk suggested that once AI and robotics take over all labor, governments should provide a universal income—though not just a basic one. “We'll have, in a benign scenario, universal high income,” he said. “Anyone can have any products or services that they want. But there will be a lot of trauma and disruption along the way.” At the forum, Musk playfully teased Huang about the upcoming Nvidia earnings call, joking, “Since currency is irrelevant…” to which Huang responded with a smile. The two CEOs then clinked bottles of Acqua Panna in a moment of lighthearted camaraderie, underscoring the blend of futuristic optimism and real-world stakes in today’s AI-driven economy.