ELON MUSK SAYS GOING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL IS NOW “POINTLESS” AS ROBOTS WILL REPLACE HUMAN SURGEONS BY 2030

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has sparked debate once again after claiming that medical degrees will soon become obsolete, asserting that AI-powered robots will surpass human surgeons in skill and precision by the end of the decade.

Speaking on the Moonshots Podcast, hosted by Peter Diamandis, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said humanoid robots like Tesla’s Optimus will soon perform surgeries better than even the world’s most experienced doctors.

“Right now, there’s a shortage of doctors and great surgeons,” Musk said. “It takes a super long time to learn how to be a good doctor. Doctors have limited time, they make mistakes. How many great surgeons are there? Not that many.”

When Diamandis asked if that meant aspiring doctors should skip medical school altogether, Musk bluntly replied: “Yes. Pointless.”

AI and robotic surgery: a fast-approaching reality

Musk’s comments come as the field of robot-assisted surgery continues to evolve rapidly. His own company, Neuralink, already uses a robotic system capable of implanting ultra-thin electrodes into the human brain  a procedure requiring microscopic precision that Musk says “no human hand could match.”

In April 2025, Musk made a similar claim, predicting that within a few years, robots would “master surgery entirely,” making human surgeons increasingly redundant.

He argues that AI-driven machines, unlike humans, will not suffer fatigue, emotional bias, or inconsistency, which could make them both safer and more efficient in performing complex medical procedures.

Experts push back

However, many medical professionals and AI ethicists have cautioned against Musk’s sweeping statement. They argue that while automation can enhance accuracy and consistency in surgery, human judgment, empathy, and ethical responsibility remain irreplaceable in medicine.

“Robots can assist in precision and consistency, but they can’t replace the moral and emotional dimensions of patient care,” said Dr. Laura Kim, a bioethicist at Johns Hopkins University.

Tesla’s Optimus and the future of medicine

Tesla’s Optimus robot, which Musk first unveiled in 2022, has undergone significant advancements and is expected to integrate with future AI-driven healthcare systems. According to Musk, the next generation of Optimus robots will be equipped with surgical-grade dexterity, advanced sensors, and real-time decision-making algorithms.

If Musk’s timeline proves accurate, the world could see fully autonomous robotic surgeons entering hospitals as early as 2030, transforming not only the medical profession but also the education system that supports it.

For now, though, while AI continues to revolutionize healthcare, experts insist that the scalpel is still safest in human hands, at least for a few more years.

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