Artificial intelligence could surpass human intelligence as early as 2026, according to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, during a conversation with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“I think by the end of this year, we could have AI that is smarter than any human. No later than next year. By 2030 or 2031, neural networks will be smarter than all of humanity,” the entrepreneur stated.
Musk's comments align him with a growing group of tech leaders who believe AGI will emerge in a few years rather than decades, raising concerns about labor market changes.
The Tesla head believes that the economic potential of AI will be realized not through software but through integration into humanoid robots capable of performing physical tasks on an industrial scale.
“If you have ubiquitous AI that is free or close to it, and robotics, you will see explosive growth in the global economy,” the billionaire noted.
Musk reiterated the view that humanoids will eventually outnumber humans.
“My optimistic future prediction is that we will create so many robots and AI that they will meet all human needs,” he said.
Optimus
Musk announced that Tesla is already using an early version of its humanoid robot, Optimus, at its factories. These devices are performing basic operations, with plans to tackle more complex tasks by the end of 2026.
The company also aims to start selling the androids to the public by late 2027.
Musk emphasized the need for a transition to solar energy to advance the robotics sector, as large-scale adoption will determine how quickly AI systems can develop.
“The sun is undoubtedly the largest source of energy. Looking beyond Earth, it provides up to 100% of all energy. The sun makes up 99.8% of the mass of the solar system,” he added.
The entrepreneur insisted on the cautious development of AI and robotics.
“We don’t want to end up in a James Cameron movie like ‘Terminator’,” the billionaire remarked.
Tesla Robotaxi
Another area of automation that Tesla is focusing on is robotaxis. The company has begun offering real rides to customers in Austin.
In December 2025, the firm launched driverless taxis without supervising drivers, but also without passengers.
In June, the first test rides began. One passenger noted the vehicle's high speed and autonomous parking capabilities.
The head of Tesla's AI department, Ashok Elluswamy, stated that “a few” of the robotaxi fleet will operate without supervision, with that number expected to grow over time.
China Takes the Lead
While Tesla plans to sell robots by late 2027, Chinese startups are already delivering thousands of humanoids annually.
In 2025, Chinese company Unitree Robotics shipped over 5,500 units to customers, ramping up production ahead of its IPO.
Unitree's annual production exceeded 6,000 units, excluding deliveries and development of wheeled models and other robotic products.
The company became a leader among major humanoid robot manufacturers in the country in 2025. However, some reports indicate that AgiBot ranks first in global market shipments, having sold over 5,000 units and generated $142 million.
A new report from Counterpoint Research revealed that in 2025, China accounted for more than four out of five humanoid robots sold globally.
The global shipment volume reached 16,000 units, primarily used for data collection and research, as well as in logistics, manufacturing, and automotive sectors.
As a reminder, in January 2026, LG Electronics unveiled a next-generation home assistant robot with AI — LG CLOiD.