The tech mogul sets ambitious dates for SpaceX’s Mars mission and AI advancements, outlining a bold future for humanity.

Elon Musk has set two pivotal dates for the future, both marking significant developments in space exploration and artificial intelligence. Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Musk outlined his vision for 2026 and 2028, promising groundbreaking advancements in both fields.

First, Musk reaffirmed his long-standing goal of Mars colonization, revealing that SpaceX plans to launch its first uncrewed starships to the Red Planet in just over two years, with crewed missions potentially following as early as 2028. This ambitious timeline signals a major leap forward for humanity’s space ambitions and demonstrates Musk’s unyielding commitment to making life multiplanetary. SpaceX’s recent success in catching its Super Heavy booster in mid-air with its Mechazilla chopstick arms has been a major step towards reducing launch costs, a key factor in making Mars missions more feasible. Musk is hopeful that this reusable rocket technology will play a crucial role in his plans for sustainable human settlement on Mars.

While Musk’s Mars plans continue to captivate imaginations, his other major focus is the rapid development of artificial intelligence. According to Musk, by 2029, machines will surpass human intelligence, with AI development expected to increase exponentially every year. However, Musk also expressed concerns about the risks AI poses, warning of a potential 10-20% chance of the technology causing the extinction of humanity. Despite these fears, Musk remains steadfast in his belief that AI will drive humanity’s future forward. His company, X AI, is developing a supercomputer called Colossus, which he claims will outpace models like OpenAI’s GPT. This technology aims to push the boundaries of what artificial intelligence can achieve, far beyond robots and rockets.

In addition to his focus on Mars and AI, Musk acknowledged the growing threat of global population decline, citing falling birth rates in countries like South Korea and several European nations. He urged people to prepare for the demographic challenges ahead, which he believes could have significant societal and economic impacts.

Despite the exciting prospects for the future, Musk also expressed concerns about regulatory hurdles that could hinder progress. He pointed out that should the political landscape shift, particularly if a regime sympathetic to his goals were to emerge, it could accelerate the development of the infrastructure needed for large-scale space projects. Musk, known for his unorthodox approach to business and politics, seems determined to navigate these challenges and continue pushing the boundaries of technological innovation.

As we approach these critical years, Musk’s vision for 2026 and 2028 is one of rapid change and uncertainty. Whether his ambitious timelines will come to fruition remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Elon Musk is not slowing down. With SpaceX on track for Mars and X AI leading the way in artificial intelligence, the next few years are sure to be filled with groundbreaking developments that could change the course of human history