Imagine a world where robots handle almost all labor, and as a result no one lives in poverty. This vision might sound like science fiction, yet it’s increasingly discussed by innovators and futurists alike. Visionaries like Isaac Asimov and Iain M. Banks have painted pictures of a society transformed by robotics. Those stories shaped my own vision of the future. In fact, I’ve been writing about robotics and society for over two decades on this Community – exploring how technology will shape our future. Today, that once far-fetched dream is starting to sound less like fantasy and more like a real possibility. In late 2025, tech billionaire Elon Musk made a bold prediction: advanced artificial intelligence and humanoid robots will “actually eliminate poverty” and make most traditional work “optional”. As an entrepreneur deeply passionate about technology, I share this optimistic outlook. At the same time, I recognize that turning it into reality will require navigating practical challenges. In this article, we’ll explore how widespread robotics and AI could usher in an era of abundance, what hurdles we must overcome (from implementing universal basic income to redefining work), and why despite the caveats we have every reason to be excited.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://community.robotshop.com/blog/show/a-vision-of-a-future-full-of-robots-and-without-poverty