Elon Musk's WEF debut in Davos: Talks of dying on Mars, mocks Trump's board of peace, shares AI robot vision and Tesla FSD plans

Elon Musk Davos speech: Elon Musk made a surprise appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, marking his first ever appearance at an event he has publicly criticized for years. During a wide-ranging conversation with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, the SpaceX and Tesla chief mixed humor, long-term ambition, and business updates while sharing his outlook on the future of humanity.

Elon Musk Speaks About Dying on Mars During Davos Appearance

Musk drew laughter early on when he revisited his long-stated dream of life on Mars. He shared that, “I’ve been asked a few times, do you want to die on Mars?” adding, “And I’m like, yes, but just not on impact,” as quoted by Forbes.

Elon Musk Jokes About Peace Summit

The conversation opened with jokes about global politics, including remarks on US interest in Greenland and Venezuela. Musk playfully said that, “I heard about the formation of the peace summit, and I was like, ‘Is that P-I-E-C?’ … A little piece of Greenland, a little piece of Venezuela…all we want is a piece," as quoted by Forbes.


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Musk Predicts Humanoid Robots Will Become Common Worldwide

Fink then guided the discussion toward Musk’s work in space and artificial intelligence, giving Musk an opening to reiterate his belief that advanced humanoid robots will eventually become widespread. He said he expects such robots to be owned by “everyone on Earth,” underscoring how central AI has become to Tesla’s long-term vision.

Why Musk’s Presence At World Economic Forum in Davos Marked a Major Shift After Years of Criticism

Musk’s inclusion in the Davos lineup came at the last minute, a day after US president Donald Trump addressed the forum. His presence stood out given his past criticism of the gathering, which he once mocked as boring and questioned for its views on overpopulation. Musk, who has 14 children, has repeatedly argued that population collapse, not overpopulation, is a serious threat to humanity, as per the Forbes report.

Larry Fink Publicly Defends Elon Musk and Praises His Vision

Toward the end of the conversation, Fink publicly defended Musk, saying there are many myths about him and calling him a close friend who inspires him. He said he wanted to “humanize” Musk, prompting laughter from the audience.

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Tesla Eyes Regulatory Approval for Full Self-Driving in Europe and China

Musk also shared updates on Tesla’s business. He said the company could receive regulatory approval for its Supervised Full Self-Driving system in Europe and China as early as next month, a key step as Tesla looks to grow software revenue amid slowing vehicle sales, as per a Reuters report.

He acknowledged the challenges Tesla faces, including tougher regulations in Europe and increasing competition. Vehicle registrations fell in California last year, and Tesla has reported two straight years of declining deliveries, losing its position as the world’s top electric vehicle maker to China’s BYD.

Musk Pushes Humanoid Robot Sales Timeline to Next Year

On Tesla’s humanoid robot plans, Musk said the company now expects to sell robots to the public by the end of next year, later than previously projected. While he predicted robots could eventually outnumber humans, industry experts have noted that scaling the technology will require clear regulatory approval, manufacturing credibility, and viable unit economics.

FAQs

What did Musk say about dying on Mars?
He said he would like to die on Mars, “just not on impact.”

What political joke did Musk make at Davos?
He joked about the US wanting “a piece” of Greenland and Venezuela.