Elon Musk believes there may come a time when the world no longer needs traditional money — and artificial intelligence could be the force that wipes it out.
In a recent conversation with Indian entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO shared a futuristic view where advanced AI and autonomous robots take over most human labor. If machines handle everything needed for survival and comfort, Musk argues that currency — the system we use to trade labor for goods — could fade away.
“If AI and robotics are big enough to satisfy all human needs, then money is no longer… its relevance declines dramatically,” Musk said. He even pointed to author Iain Banks’ popular Culture book series, which imagines a society where scarcity is erased and no one needs to pay for what they want.
But Musk doesn’t think all forms of value disappear. In his outlook, energy becomes the ultimate measure of worth — a core resource that can’t be replaced by printing more dollars or changing economic policy.
“Energy is the true currency,” he stated. And that belief puts Bitcoin in a unique position for the long term.
Bitcoin’s network runs on a proof-of-work system, where miners spend real electricity and computing power to secure the blockchain and mint new coins. Musk noted that this foundation ties Bitcoin’s digital value to the physical world — unlike traditional money, which governments can create at will.
“You can’t legislate energy,” he said. “You can’t just pass a law and suddenly have a lot of it.”
That energy-backed principle is why some Bitcoin supporters argue the cryptocurrency could remain relevant, even in a post-money age. If economic power shifts toward whoever controls the cleanest, most efficient energy sources, Bitcoin mining could play a role as digital proof of that power.
Of course, this future isn’t here yet. Modern economies still rely on fiat currencies for everyday transactions, wages, and savings. Bitcoin remains a volatile investment and an alternative financial system — not a dominant payment method.
There are also ongoing debates about the environmental impact of mining. Critics warn of high carbon footprints and grid strain, while supporters claim miners are increasingly tapping into renewables and helping stabilize power networks.
Musk didn’t offer a deadline for his bold prediction. Instead, he acknowledged that society must reach major breakthroughs in AI and robotics before anything changes. For now, dollars still rule — but Musk believes that in the long run, energy and Bitcoin could rule next.
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