The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, has made a bold prediction that by the year 2045, “millions of people” will inhabit space. His vision extends to the inclusion of robots as integral participants in these space journeys. Bezos is among a group of billionaires who foresee a utopian future shaped by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Conversely, other prominent tech entrepreneurs express concerns that AI might lead to widespread job losses and the potential collapse of civilization as we know it.
During the 2025 Italian Technology Week, Bezos conveyed optimism about the future with AI, suggesting that there is much to look forward to as technology progresses. He emphasized that by 2045, robots will handle various tasks, allowing humans to explore other planets, with individuals choosing to reside there voluntarily. “They will live there primarily because they want to,” he stated, adding that “we do not need people to live in space.”
Bezos further elaborated that for any necessary work on the Moon or elsewhere, robots would be deployed, which would be considerably more cost-effective than sending humans. This perspective counters the pessimistic narratives that have emerged since the advent of ChatGPT, reinforcing his belief that humanity”s inventions are the true source of civilization”s abundance.
Similar to Bezos, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, forecasts that within a decade, recent university graduates will secure “completely new, exciting, and well-paying” jobs in space. Altman expressed envy for younger generations, suggesting that the initial roles of his own generation will seem “boring” and “outdated” in comparison.
Elon Musk, the wealthiest person on the planet and CEO of Tesla, has also been a pivotal advocate for space accessibility in the 21st century. As co-founder and CEO of SpaceX, a company valued at hundreds of billions of dollars, Musk has closely collaborated with NASA to propel space exploration. He anticipates that humans could set foot on Mars as early as 2028, with SpaceX planning to launch uncrewed rockets next year.
Despite the excitement surrounding space exploration, Bill Gates has criticized billionaires and global leaders for focusing their efforts beyond Earth. In a conversation with comedian James Corden, the co-founder of Microsoft stated, “Space? We have much to do here on Earth.” Gates has expressed uncertainty regarding the trajectory of technology, once mentioning that if he could ask a time traveler one question, it would be whether AI ultimately harmed or benefited humanity.
Nevertheless, with a sense of optimism, Gates envisions a future where AI may usher in a new era for workers, potentially leading to a two-day workweek, machines taking on arduous tasks, and individuals having more time to engage in activities they love. He remarked, “If we step back, the purpose of life is not just to work,” as reported by Fortune magazine.
