DAVOS, SWITZERLAND January 22, 2026 – In his debut appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, chief engineer of SpaceX, and CTO of xAI, shared a sweeping vision for the future of civilization, emphasizing the role of his companies in advancing technology to ensure humanity’s long-term survival and expansion beyond Earth.
During a one-on-one conversation with BlackRock CEO and WEF interim co-chair Larry Fink on January 22, Musk articulated the overarching goal of his ventures: “The overall goal of my companies is to maximize the future of civilization, like basically maximize the probability that civilization has a great future and to expand consciousness beyond Earth.” He highlighted SpaceX’s efforts in advancing rocket technology to extend life and consciousness to the Moon, Mars, and eventually other star systems, underscoring the precarious nature of life as we know it.
Musk, who has previously criticized the WEF as elitist and disconnected, made a surprise appearance at the event, joking about geopolitical tensions and expressing his aspiration to “die on Mars, just not on impact.” He also quipped about a “peace summit,” playing on the word “piece” in reference to U.S. interests in Greenland and Venezuela.
The tech mogul predicted a future where robots outnumber humans, driven by advancements in AI and robotics, which he described as the path to “abundance for all.” He envisioned humanoid robots becoming ubiquitous, potentially addressing challenges like elder care amid demographic shifts. Musk announced aggressive targets for Tesla, including the rollout of humanoid robot sales next year and anticipated approvals for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in Europe and China within weeks.
Breaking from alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies on renewable energy, Musk critiqued high U.S. tariffs on solar power, arguing they artificially inflate costs and hinder deployment. He asserted that the U.S. could meet all its electricity needs through solar, including the surging demand from data centers.
The session, titled “Conversation with Elon Musk,” drew significant attention, with live streams and highlights circulating widely on platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter). Reactions on X were largely positive, with users praising Musk’s forward-thinking approach, though some questioned the inclusivity of his vision for civilization.
Musk’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions at Davos on global tech trends, AI predictions, and space missions, reinforcing his influence on innovation and industry shifts. As the WEF continues, his participation marks a notable shift from past criticisms, signaling potential collaboration on pressing global challenges.
