Elon Musk has called for using artificial intelligence to take over certain government functions, criticizing inefficiencies in the U.S. public sector, according to Bloomberg. Speaking at a closed-door session during the Milken Institute Global Conference, Musk discussed the potential of AI to streamline government operations in a conversation with financier Michael Milken.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO highlighted how AI could replace roles currently held by federal workers, suggesting it as a solution to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency. Musk’s remarks reflect his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration initiative focused on cutting federal spending and shrinking the workforce.
This push toward automation coincides with broader efforts by the Trump administration to restructure federal agencies. On Sunday, Reuters reported that more than 15,000 employees from the U.S. Department of Agriculture had accepted buyout offers, amounting to roughly 15% of the department’s workforce. The voluntary departures are part of a federal downsizing strategy championed by Musk and his allies.
During the conference, Musk also spoke about the latest advancements at his companies, Neuralink and SpaceX, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to innovation in both space exploration and brain-computer interface technology.
As AI continues to evolve, Musk’s vision of integrating it into government systems could redefine public administration and workforce dynamics. His comments have reignited debate over the role of AI in civil service and whether technology can deliver on the promise of a leaner, more effective government. With Musk at the forefront of both technological and policy discussions, his influence over the intersection of AI and governance is growing stronger.