Elon Musk predicts that by 2040, humanoid robots could outnumber humans globally. This prediction was made during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, where he stated that every country will possess multiple artificial intelligences and an abundance of robots. Currently, the global population is estimated at around 8.2 billion. Musk emphasized that the limitless potential of humanoid robots could result in vast economic expansions. However, experts like cognitive scientist Gary Marcus warned that such predictions are overly optimistic. They argue that many people may not afford or see the need for humanoid robots, much like the disparity in car ownership. While Musk mentions that Tesla's Optimus robots could be made affordable, Marcus highlights significant hurdles including safety, economic concerns, and technical challenges, making widespread adoption of humanoid robots unlikely in the near future. Historical data shows that even the most popular consumer robots, like the Roomba, have sold only around 50 million units, far below the numbers Musk envisions.

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