From peace deal jokes to existential warnings: Musk at Davos 2026

Elon Musk made headlines at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday, mixing humor, geopolitics, and sweeping predictions about the future of technology during his first appearance at the annual gathering.

At the start of his on-stage interview with BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink, Musk poked fun at a newly announced US-led “Board of Peace,” joking about whether the word meant “peace” or “piece.” His remark, referencing territorial ambitions tied to places like Greenland and Venezuela, drew laughter from the audience but also highlighted deeper unease about shifting global power dynamics.

The joke came shortly after US President Donald Trump formally launched the Board of Peace on the sidelines of the summit, presenting it as part of his post-conflict vision for Gaza and broader global diplomacy.

Beyond geopolitics, Musk used the Davos stage to outline his vision for a technology-driven future, predicting that robots will eventually outnumber humans. A longtime critic of Davos, which he has previously described as an “unelected world government”, Musk said advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are the only realistic path to global prosperity.

According to Musk, widespread use of AI-powered robots could unlock what he called “sustainable abundance,” dramatically expanding the global economy and raising living standards. He argued that robotics could also help address demographic challenges, including labor shortages and elder care in aging societies.

Musk said Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, is already performing simple factory tasks and could be ready for public sale as early as next year, once reliability improves. He added that autonomous driving is close to being fully realized, with robotaxis already operating in some US cities and broader rollout expected soon.

From wordplay on global diplomacy to predictions of a robot-filled future, Musk’s appearance underscored why his presence at Davos continues to draw attention and controversy, even as he remains one of the forum’s most outspoken skeptics.