Could be the last Elon Musk avoid interviews and especially to journalists and media who consider that they do not express him (he recently canceled a scheduled interview with CNBC, but he agreed to find himself against the editor-in-chief of the British magazine Economist, Zanny Mindon Bentows, in a discussion published a few 24 hours ago and quickly made the internet round.
The interview with «Mr Tesla» started in the... typical way, but soon turned into a delightful show with him proceeding to a public outburst, analyzing his ideas around Artificial Intelligence and money and engaging in heavy-handed expressions, such as: «Everyone hates me.», «In 2036 money will have no meaning», «People will only work out of hobby.» etc.
The conversation began around the future of artificial intelligence, with Musk repeating his well-known arguments: that TN will bring an abundance season, where «Everyone will be able to have what they imagined.». He argued that within five years artificial intelligence will overcome human intelligence and that in a decade people will no longer control the world.
Bentows insisted on learning exactly how his businesses would operate in such a scenario, which Musk had difficulty explaining clearly.
«If you have huge numbers of robots with huge digital intelligence, you actually have an almost unlimited economy.», said features. «The future will be completely different from the past. There is no proportion or metaphor that yields the magnitude of the change we are about to experience».
«Money won't matter in 2036»
When asked how his companies would make money in this future, he replied that «money will not matter in 2036», predicting that everyone will have a high income without working, while those who wish will simply work as a hobby – as someone cultivates tomatoes in their garden. He even argued that garden tomatoes are not as tasty as supermarket tomatoes, a view that caused strong reactions to the article’s comments.
The reporter didn't stop there. He asked to know exactly how to ensure this «high income for all».
«What do you want with the money? You want them for goods and services, right? Mainly for food, shelter, transportation, entertainment», Musk replied. «If these are so abundant that robots and TN produce more goods and services than a man could ever consume, why do you want money?».
He even suggested that viewers read the books of Scottish writer Ian Banks about an image of this future – overlooking, as Bedows reminded him, that Banks was a stated socialist.
Musk denied identification, saying he wants a future in Star Trek standards – a report that is often ironically described as «space communism».
The debate intensified when Musk's role in the so-called DOGE, the American government's spending cuts program came to light.
Bentows noted that people suffered and died due to the abolition of the USAID international aid service.
Musk categorically denied it, arguing that service functions were simply transferred to the American State Department and that he was simply «Clear» fraud – although multiple deaths have been recorded from cuts in international aid.
Pushing again on how to fund the high income future, Musk suggested: «I think the public fund should just issue cheques to citizens.»The journalist objected that this would create inflation, but Musk insisted that the opposite would happen because of «plenty».
The conversation took an even more personal turn when Bedows said the businessman often promotes far-right politicians in Britain and Germany, as well as a film with racist content against immigrants.
Musk seemed to lift his shoulders when he was reminded that the German AfD party, which he supports, hosts elements neo-Nazi. It was then asked how it reconciles rhetoric about «utopia» with his belief that Europe is falling apart because of immigration. «I don't think these views are inconsistent.» replied laconically, without further explanation.
When it was reported that by many he is considered a racist, Musk defended himself by citing his Indian-born companion, an executive of Neuralink, Sivon Gillis. «My partner is half Indian, I have four children with her, one of whom was named the famous Indian physicist. So I'd say I'm not racist.» said, adding that his companies work executives «each suit».
In the question whether he has negative feelings toward Muslims, however, he did not give a clear refusal.
As the conversation progressed, Musk seemed increasingly irritated, ending up complaining about the media. He invoked his popularity in X as proof that «More people like me than they dislike me», claiming that the public hates journalists even more. «A quarter of a billion is following me.» said, referring to his followers in X.
In the end, he attempted to turn criticism to the Economist itself, saying that more people die in Europe than from weapons in the US, ironically asking why the magazine does not write articles in favour of air conditioners.
Bentows responded calmly that the publication had already published an extensive tribute on the subject – «very pro-air conditioners», as he commented, leaving the billionaire, according to the article's description, to ultimately look exactly the opposite of what he sought to show.
