In a bold vision for the future, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, anticipates that by the year 2045, millions of people will reside in space. Speaking at the Italian Technology Week 2025, Bezos stated that robots will play a significant role in facilitating these space journeys.
Bezos, part of a group of billionaires envisioning a utopian future driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), dismissed the pessimistic outlook shared by some tech leaders who warn that AI could lead to job loss and the collapse of civilization. Instead, he expressed optimism about the potential of technology to enhance human life.
He emphasized that by 2045, robots will be capable of performing tasks on the Moon and other celestial bodies, making such endeavors more cost-effective than sending humans. “People will live there primarily because they want to,” Bezos noted, insisting that there will be no necessity for humans to live in space.
In his predictions, Bezos confidently stated, “In the next two decades, I believe there will be millions of people living in space. This will accelerate quickly.” His comments reflect a growing trend among tech visionaries who foresee a future where human life extends beyond Earth.
Other notable figures, including Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and co-founder of SpaceX, have echoed similar sentiments. Altman believes that within the next decade, new and exciting job opportunities will arise in space for university graduates, contrasting with the more mundane jobs of previous generations. He has expressed envy for the youth who will experience these groundbreaking opportunities.
Musk, recognized as one of the wealthiest individuals globally, has been a prominent advocate for making space accessible. He predicts that humans could reach Mars as early as 2028, with SpaceX launching uncrewed rockets in the coming year.
However, not all share this optimism. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, critiques the focus on space exploration when significant challenges remain on Earth. In a recent interview, he stated, “Space? We have much to do here on Earth,” emphasizing the need for billionaires to direct their efforts toward solving terrestrial issues.
Despite his reservations about space travel, Gates maintains a hopeful outlook on the transformative potential of AI, envisioning a future where workers enjoy a two-day workweek, machines handle laborious tasks, and individuals can pursue their passions. “If we step back, the purpose of life is not just to work,” he remarked, illustrating a balance between technological progress and quality of life.
