Elon Musk posted an AI-generated video on X showcasing Tesla's Optimus robot performing various human tasks, sparking debate on the future of robotics. The 38-second montage depicts the robot in roles from construction to cooking, aligning with Musk's vision of universal wealth through AI. The video quickly garnered over 16 million views.
On November 21, 2025, Elon Musk shared a 38-second AI-generated montage on his X profile, featuring Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot engaged in diverse activities. The clip shows Optimus sparring in a judo gym, operating at a construction site, providing emergency aid during a rain-soaked disaster drill, patrolling as urban police, cooking and setting the table in a kitchen, and dealing blackjack in a casino.
The post amassed more than 16 million views and 200,000 likes within hours. This video serves as a teaser for Optimus, which Tesla has demonstrated performing tasks like folding laundry and walking since 2023. Musk positions humanoid robots as a solution to global labor shortages linked to falling fertility rates.
Speaking at the US-Saudi Investment Forum shortly after, Musk elaborated on a future where robots handle labor, making work optional like a hobby. He stated: “It’ll be like playing sports or a video game or something like that. ... That will be what work is like, optional. Now, between now and then, there’s actually a lot of work to get to that point.” Musk predicted money could become irrelevant with advancing AI and robotics, calling humanoid robots the “biggest product ever, bigger than cellphones.” He added: “There is basically one way to make everyone wealthy, and that is AI and robotics,” emphasizing that “AI and humanoid robots will actually eliminate poverty.”
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, sharing the stage, offered a tempered view: “Everybody’s jobs will be different, I think that’s for sure.” He quipped to Musk: “When currency doesn’t matter anymore, let me know right before.”
The video's release followed skepticism from analyst Gary Black, who urged Tesla to prove Optimus can perform economically useful tasks at scale. Musk's showcase has divided opinions, fueling discussions on robotics' role in everyday life.
