Elon Musk has reportedly become the world’s first trillionaire, a milestone that no individual has recorded in history before. Following the successful initial public offering (IPO) of SpaceX, his net worth has surpassed an estimated $1.1 trillion, based on calculations from company filings and estimates from Forbes. The substantial increase in Musk’s wealth is primarily attributed to SpaceX, which has emerged as the largest contributor to his financial portfolio.

Musk’s Perspective on the Evolution of Money

Recently, a video featuring Musk has gained significant traction online. In the clip, recorded during a conversation with Peter Diamandis at the 2026 Abundance Summit, Musk discusses the implications of advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. He suggests that as these technologies become more productive, traditional concepts surrounding work, income, and the value of money may transform considerably.

During the conversation, Musk stated, “We’re going to have universal high income. We’ll basically just issue money to people.” His remarks imply that AI and robotics could generate goods and services at a volume that surpasses human labour capacity, leading to a landscape where the economy operates differently from its current structure.

In a noteworthy moment, he asserted, “Money will stop being relevant at some point in the future.” This statement prompted a light-hearted exchange between Musk and Diamandis, further spotlighting Musk’s views on the diminishing significance of currency as he approaches his financial zenith.

The Concept of Universal High Income

Musk’s assertion introduces the idea of Universal High Income (UHI), a concept suggesting that if AI drastically reduces production costs, individuals could receive sufficient income to maintain a comfortable standard of living, rather than just meeting basic needs. He posits that, should this scenario unfold, even presently expensive commodities such as healthcare, housing, and food could become broadly accessible to the population.

According to Musk, this paradigm shift would result from the efficiencies gained through advancements in technology, particularly in AI and robotics. He has linked this vision to initiatives like Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, which aims to revolutionise productivity and societal roles in his projected future.

By proposing that money may lose its traditional value, Musk raises intriguing questions about what will replace it as a measure of worth. He indicates that advanced AI systems could prioritise resources such as energy and physical materials rather than human currencies. “AI won’t use human currency. It will care about power and mass: wattage and tonnage,” he stated, suggesting a future economy focused more on material control than financial capital.

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