“AI will replace all…” Elon Musk warns that working may soon become optional

“AI and robots will replace all jobs. Working will be optional, like growing your own vegetables instead of buying them from the store.”

His comment quickly went viral, sparking both excitement and fear about what a world without work might look like.

The New York Times report said Amazon’s automation team expects to avoid hiring at least 160,000 workers in the U.S. by 2027, and more than 600,000 by 2033, even as sales double. The company’s robotics division reportedly aims to automate 75% of its operations in major warehouses. Amazon claims this will improve efficiency and cut costs — about 30 cents per item processed — though critics worry it could devastate blue-collar employment.

Musk, meanwhile, sees it as part of a bigger shift. He believes automation will free people from routine labor, allowing them to focus on creativity, innovation, and leisure. He’s also called for universal basic income (UBI) — a regular government payment to all citizens — as a safety net when machines take over most jobs.

Venture capitalist Jason Calacanis, who shared the Times story, agreed with Musk, saying, “The sooner we accept this reality, the better we can manage the transition.”

Amazon has tried to downplay fears, saying the Times documents were “incomplete” and that it continues to hire seasonal workers. Still, the company has reportedly advised employees to use softer terms like “advanced technology” or “cobots” (collaborative robots) when discussing automation to avoid public backlash.