Could AI make money irrelevant? Elon Musk says the answer may lie in the Sun
businesstoday.in Jun 17, 2026

Could AI make money irrelevant? Elon Musk says the answer may lie in the Sun

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Elon Musk has suggested that conventional money may lose relevance in a future where artificial intelligence (AI) gains access to enormous amounts of energy and surpasses human intelligence. According to Musk, harnessing just 1 millionth of the Sun's power for AI systems would result in computational capabilities far beyond human capabilities. This feat would require the construction of an extensive industrial infrastructure beyond Earth, including manufacturing solar panels and radiators on the Moon and launching them into deep space using a "mass driver." Musk believes that access to raw materials and abundant energy could become more important than traditional measures of wealth in a future dominated by advanced AI and automation.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Musk's prediction of a money-less future highlights the potential for a fundamental transformation in the global economy, where energy and computation become the primary drivers of economic productivity.
  • · The notion that traditional currencies could become obsolete underscores the need for governments and industries to rethink their approach to wealth and value in a world where AI capabilities are increasingly linked to energy resources.