In a wide-ranging conversation on the “People by WTF” podcast hosted by Indian entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath global business magnate Elon Musk made headlines with candid remarks about immigration India work culture and entrepreneurship - leaving many listeners rethinking the future of work and talent.


Here are five of the standout observations from the interview:

On Indian talent and H-1B visas

Musk took a strong stance in favour of skilled immigration saying “America has benefitted immensely from talented Indians that have come to America.” He added that the U.S. has been “an immense beneficiary of talent from India” appreciating the critical role Indian professionals have played at his companies.

While acknowledging that some firms have “gamed the system” under the H-1B visa programme he argued firmly against scrapping it altogether - warning that shutting it down would be counterproductive.


On the future of work: “Working will be optional”

Predicting the impact of advances in artificial intelligence and robotics Musk said: “In less than 20 years working at all will be optional … like a hobby pretty much.” He painted a scenario where thanks to automation humans might have the freedom to treat work as a choice - much like pursuing a hobby - rather than a necessity.

On expansion plans: hope for India via Starlink

Speaking about his satellite internet venture Starlink Musk indicated a keen interest in bringing it to India. He said operating Starlink in India would “be great” highlighting the company’s global footprint across 150 countries - and signaling his intent to include India among them.

Advice to Indian entrepreneurs

Addressing aspiring founders and business-minded youth in India Musk offered heartfelt advice: Aim to “make more than you take.” He said he has respect for anyone who wants to contribute more than they consume - urging individuals to be net contributors to society.

Personal snap: honouring Indian roots

Adding a personal touch Musk revealed that his partner is “half-Indian” and one of their children’s middle name is “Sekhar” chosen as a tribute to the legacy of renowned Indian-American astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. The news appears to be a special way for him to show how much he values Indias traditions and history.

The podcast with Nikhil Kamath which has already stirred much chatter shows how Musk continues to tread the line between hard-nosed business realism and deeply personal convictions. His remarks about India immigration and the future of work underlie one clear message: talent knows no borders and the global economy might just be richer for that.