Elon Musk says AI should replace U.S. government workers

Musk claims artificial intelligence can boost efficiency by replacing federal employees, as he prepares to exit Trump’s DOGE program.

White House senior advisor and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 30, 2025, in Washington, DC. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a bold declaration during a private session at the Milken Institute Global Conference, Elon Musk stated that artificial intelligence should be used to replace many U.S. government workers, describing the current system as inefficient and overly bureaucratic. According to a source in the room, Musk’s remarks were made during a conversation with financier Michael Milken, touching on his work with the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

The statement aligns with Musk’s longstanding criticism of government waste and inefficiency, a theme that has increasingly defined his public persona. Elon Musk says AI should replace public workers echoed throughout the discussion as he argued that artificial intelligence could automate a significant portion of government functions, potentially reducing costs and improving productivity.

Musk says AI will redefine government labor

Musk reportedly told attendees that AI systems, trained with existing government protocols and data, could take over various administrative and bureaucratic responsibilities currently handled by human workers. “The government is incredibly inefficient — AI can do much of this better and faster,” the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said, according to the individual present.

The private session comes amid growing debate over the future of government employment and automation. Musk has long pushed the boundaries of innovation in technology and transportation, and now appears to be setting his sights on public administration as the next sector ripe for disruption.

Exiting DOGE and shifting priorities

Musk’s statements also reflect his shifting role within the Trump administration’s controversial DOGE initiative, which was created with the aim of slashing the federal workforce, dismantling select agencies, and redefining how the government operates. The DOGE project — a nod to Musk’s frequent use of internet memes and cryptocurrency — is now entering its final phase, and Musk has stated that his role is nearly finished.

“It’s time for me to move on from DOGE,” Musk told conference participants. “We’ve built the blueprint — now it’s time for AI and the private sector to take it further.”

One of the most high-profile targets of the DOGE initiative has been the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which Musk has criticized for inefficiency and spending without results. Under the program’s restructuring, USAID’s budget has been slashed, and Musk has advocated replacing many of its reporting and auditing tasks with automated AI platforms.

Tesla troubles mount as Musk refocuses

While Musk wraps up his government efficiency crusade, pressure is mounting for him to return his attention to Tesla. Sales at the electric car company have slowed in recent quarters, and investor concerns have grown over Musk’s increasing involvement in side projects, including DOGE, Neuralink, and SpaceX.

On a recent Tesla earnings call, Musk acknowledged the issue, telling shareholders he would be spending “significantly more time” on Tesla beginning in May. “I’ve heard the feedback. It’s clear that my focus needs to return to core operations, especially during this transition period for EVs globally,” he said.

The pivot is seen as critical to stabilizing Tesla’s stock price and reassuring stakeholders that the company’s long-term vision is still on track.

Neuralink and SpaceX remain in the spotlight

During the Milken session, Musk also provided updates on Neuralink, the brain-implant company he co-founded to develop human-computer interfaces. According to the attendee, Musk described Neuralink as making “breakthrough progress” and said it could revolutionize how humans interact with artificial intelligence.

In addition, Musk highlighted developments at SpaceX, including upcoming manned missions and progress on the Starship program. He reportedly emphasized that SpaceX was critical to ensuring a multi-planetary future for humanity and again reiterated his belief that Mars colonization should remain a top scientific priority.

Milken conference puts innovation at the center

The Milken Institute Global Conference, now in its 28th year, serves as a premier platform for leaders in finance, government, and entertainment to exchange ideas on innovation and global challenges. Held in Beverly Hills, the 2025 edition has drawn major figures from across industries, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent scheduled to open the public sessions on Monday with a keynote address on global capital markets.

Musk’s off-the-record talk added an unfiltered tech billionaire’s perspective to the mix, underscoring the blurred lines between private enterprise, public policy, and digital transformation.

Backlash and concerns from public sector advocates

Not everyone is on board with Musk’s vision. Critics argue that replacing government workers with AI could worsen inequality, create accountability gaps, and lead to mass job losses in already vulnerable communities.

“Government is not a factory. It serves people — and that requires empathy, cultural awareness, and democratic oversight, not just efficiency,” said Kara Simmons, director of the Public Workers Alliance, in a statement responding to Musk’s remarks.

Others warn that the use of AI in public administration must be carefully regulated to avoid biases, privacy breaches, and misuse of data. “Automating bureaucracy sounds appealing, but it raises serious questions about governance and civil rights,” said Dr. Lena Ahmed, an AI ethics expert at Georgetown University.

Trump administration’s AI gamble

The Trump administration has openly supported AI-driven reforms, with DOGE being just one facet of a broader strategy to shrink what it has described as the “bloated” federal workforce. Former Vice President J.D. Vance, now serving as chief White House strategist, has described the use of AI in government as “the next revolution in public service.”

According to insiders, Musk’s DOGE team has already prototyped AI models capable of handling internal audits, benefits processing, and basic administrative decisions. If fully implemented, these tools could lead to the elimination of tens of thousands of government jobs — a move both praised and criticized across the political spectrum.

As Musk departs from his official role, the future of DOGE and its AI ambitions remains uncertain. But for now, Musk’s comments have reignited debate over the role of technology in governance — and whether Silicon Valley’s elite should shape the public sector’s future.