Elon Musk said he wants to make ‘Star Trek for real’ as he set out his vision of the future, including space travel, artificial intelligence and robots.
In a surprise appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the world’s richest man and boss of Tesla – which makes robots as well as electric cars – predicted that there would eventually be more androids than humans.
Some would look after children, pets and the elderly, he said, adding: ‘I think everyone on earth is going to have one.’
Musk insisted ‘AI and robotics’ was the only way to end world poverty and deliver high living standards for all. The billionaire added: ‘We’re headed for a future of amazing abundance.’
Speaking to a packed conference hall at the Swiss summit, Musk – who is also the founder and head of pioneering rocket firm SpaceX – described how he had been inspired by sci-fi books he read as a child.
‘I guess I want to… at some point turn science fiction to science fact,’ he said.
‘And we want to have Star Trek for real, where we actually have giant spaceships travelling through space going to other planets travelling to other star systems.’
Dreamer: Tesla boss Elon Musk (pictured) predicted that there would eventually be more androids than humans
SAVE MONEY, MAKE MONEY
Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Terms and conditions apply on all offers.