Elon Musk Mixes Geopolitics and Tech Predictions in First Davos Appearance

Elon Musk drew global attention at the World Economic Forum in Davos during his first appearance at the annual gathering, blending humor, geopolitical commentary, and bold predictions about the future of technology. Speaking in an on-stage interview with BlackRock chief executive Laurence Fink, Musk joked about the newly announced US-led “Board of Peace,” questioning whether the term referred to “peace” or a “piece,” a remark that prompted laughter while underscoring concerns about shifting global power dynamics.

The comment came shortly after US President Donald Trump formally launched the Board of Peace on the sidelines of the summit, presenting it as part of his broader post-conflict diplomatic vision, including plans linked to Gaza. While light-hearted in tone, Musk’s remarks highlighted unease among global leaders about territorial ambitions and evolving international influence.

Beyond geopolitics, Musk outlined a technology-driven vision for the future, predicting that robots would eventually outnumber humans. A long-time critic of the Davos forum, which he has previously described as an unelected global authority, Musk said advances in artificial intelligence and robotics represent the only realistic path to sustained global prosperity. He argued that widespread use of AI-powered robots could unlock what he called “sustainable abundance,” significantly expanding the global economy and improving living standards.

Musk also pointed to practical applications, saying robotics could help address labor shortages and elder care challenges in aging societies. He revealed that Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, is already performing basic factory tasks and could be available for public sale as early as next year, subject to further reliability improvements. He added that autonomous driving technology is nearing full realization, with robotaxis already operating in some US cities and broader deployment expected in the near future.

Musk’s appearance reinforced his ability to command attention at Davos, combining provocative commentary with sweeping technological forecasts, even as he remains one of the forum’s most vocal skeptics.

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