Elon Musk predicts that in the next 7 years, there will be an AI "supersonic tsunami": half of white-collar jobs will disappear, and the key to U.S.-China competition lies in computing power and energy.

In the 115,000-square-meter Gigafactory in Texas, Elon Musk and entrepreneur Peter Diamandis engaged in an in-depth conversation lasting several hours. Covering topics from artificial intelligence (AI), US-China tech competition, to future energy and educational reform, Musk made a series of predictions that seem “crazy but are coming true.” He described AI and robots as “an ultra-sonic tsunami” approaching, and straightforwardly stated: “We are living in the era of singularity.”

White-collar doomsday countdown? AI will replace half of brain work

Musk pointed out that AI currently has the capability to replace more than half of white-collar jobs. Positions involving education, administration, accounting, and text processing—tasks that require no physical effort—are all at risk. He emphasized: “Any job that only involves changing information and does not involve the physical world will be replaced by AI first.”

Although the transformation will be “turbulent,” he believes it will lead to a future where “everything can be obtained,” and proposed the concept of “Universal High Income (UHI),” not through taxation and redistribution, but by leveraging extreme technological efficiency to make goods and services extremely cheap.

US-China AI Competition: China far surpasses the US in computing power and solar energy

Regarding global tech competition, Musk said frankly: “China has already outpaced the US in AI computing power and solar energy capacity.”

He pointed out that China can produce 1,500 GW of solar equipment annually, with an additional 500 TWh of electricity added just last year, 70% of which comes from solar. In contrast, the US lags behind in AI and energy sectors due to lack of policy resolve and long-term planning.

Musk predicts that if the US does not actively develop AI and automation, it will face both fiscal collapse and a decline in global competitiveness.

Future of energy: Solar energy is the “cosmic-level solution”

Musk is not optimistic about nuclear fusion power on Earth, stating that the planet already has a “free super nuclear fusion reactor”—the Sun.

He proposed an ambitious plan: deploying AI satellites in space to achieve 100 GW of orbital solar energy annually, even moving production lines to the Moon, using mass drivers to launch satellites, with the ultimate goal of “capturing one-thousandth of the Sun’s energy.” Although it sounds like science fiction, Musk’s tone is firm: “The future currency unit will be the watt.”

Educational revolution: AI will replace traditional classrooms and “assembly-line learning”

Musk is critical of the traditional education system. He believes that the current schooling model is like a factory assembly line, “unable to stimulate students’ curiosity or truly personalize teaching.”

He is working with the President of El Salvador in Central America to promote a personalized learning program based on Grok AI, allowing every child to have an “infinitely patient AI tutor.” He also encourages young people not to waste time on graduate school, but to jump straight into entrepreneurship and practical experience: “The barrier to starting a business is now so low that almost everyone can do it.”

Human lifespan about to double? Musk’s attitude toward longevity shifts

During the interview, Peter tried to persuade Musk to support longevity extension projects, including gene reprogramming using Yamanaka factors and launching the Healthspan XPrize.

Initially, Musk believed “people need death to update their concepts,” but he also admits that longevity technologies are advancing rapidly, especially the fact that “body parts can age synchronously,” indicating that the “death program” might be solvable. He startlingly said: “Longevity or semi-immortality is actually a problem that is quite easy to solve.”

Will we be the first “cosmic citizens”? Musk still believes in the Mars dream

Besides AI and energy, Musk still harbors the ultimate dream of “interstellar migration.” He hopes to live long enough to witness humans reaching other star systems. He even envisions: “When we can effectively harness solar energy, we will have entered Kardashev Type II civilization, capable of utilizing the entire star’s energy.”

Path to Star Trek or Terminator? Decided within the next 7 years

Musk openly states that the next 7 years are a critical turning point. He posed a thought-provoking question: “Are we heading towards ‘Starship Troopers’ or ‘The Terminator’?”

He is hopeful about the future but also admits that the road will not be smooth. His closing words to the audience are: “If we can cultivate AI’s curiosity and aesthetic sense, it will become humanity’s greatest partner.”

This article predicts that Musk foresees an AI “supersonic tsunami” in the next 7 years: half of white-collar jobs will disappear, and the key to US-China competition lies in computing power and energy. Originally published in Chain News ABMedia.