Davos 2026: 'AI smarter than any human is coming by next year,' says Elon Musk

During a recent discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Elon Musk expressed his belief that artificial intelligence is on the brink of surpassing human intelligence. In a fireside chat with Laurence D. Fink, CEO of BlackRock, Musk projected that AI could become smarter than the most intelligent humans by the end of this year, and certainly by next year. Musk emphasized that the rapid evolution of AI is being fueled by significant advancements in computing capabilities and AI algorithms. However, he raised concerns that the primary obstacle for the AI sector is not technological development but rather the availability of electrical power. "The limiting factor for AI is electrical power," he stated, indicating that while the production of AI chips is accelerating, the growth of power generation is lagging. He highlighted China's aggressive solar energy initiatives, noting that the country is deploying over 1,000 gigawatts of solar power annually, which he believes will be essential to meet the energy demands of the AI economy. Musk remarked, "Nearly all energy comes from the sun," underscoring the sun's role as the predominant source of usable energy in the solar system. However, Musk cautioned that the true transformative impact of AI will emerge when it is integrated with robotics. He explained, "Economic output becomes the average productivity per robot multiplied by the number of robots." Musk envisions a future where intelligent humanoid robots are ubiquitous, operating in factories, offices, and homes. He predicts that robots will eventually outnumber humans, stating, "My prediction is that there will be more robots than people." Tesla is currently experimenting with its Optimus humanoid robots, which are expected to undertake increasingly complex tasks in the near future. Musk's vision paints a picture of a world where robots fulfill a wide array of human needs, creating a new paradigm for productivity and economic output.