Musk Predicts AI Could Add $20-$30 Trillion to Global Economy

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, presented a sweeping vision of an AI-driven economic future to policymakers at the G20 Innovation Ministerial in North Carolina on September 1, 2026. Speaking virtually, Musk predicted that artificial intelligence could expand the global economy by 20 to 30 percent, translating to an additional $20 trillion to $30 trillion in annual output, and that over a billion humanoid robots could be deployed within a decade. Musk framed these projections as a "rough estimate" based on the exponential growth of AI capabilities. He told delegates that AI would soon be able to handle virtually any digital task that does not involve physically manipulating objects, a milestone he expects to be reached by the end of 2027. To illustrate the potential leap in capability, Musk compared future AI software to Stockfish, the dominant chess engine, stating it would reach a "Stockfish-level" of proficiency in coding and digital work within 12 to 18 months, making it impossible for humans to compete in software development. Beyond digital tasks, Musk emphasized the transformative potential of physical robotics.