In a candid conversation on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, Elon Musk praised India’s skilled workforce, discussed the future AI-driven work culture, expressed interest in bringing Starlink to India, and highlighted the strong ties between Indian and US talent.
Published: December 1, 2025 11:01 AM IST
In a wide-ranging conversation on People by WTF, a podcast hosted by Indian entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, global business mogul Elon Musk made headlines with his candid remarks about immigration, India, work culture and entrepreneurship, prompting many listeners to rethink the future of work and talent.
Here are five of the salient observations from the interviews.
About Indian human resources and H-1B visas
Musk has taken a strong stance in support of skilled immigration, saying, “America has benefited tremendously from the talented Indian people who have come to America.” He added that the United States has “benefited tremendously from Indian talent” and praised the important role Indian experts have played at his company.
While he acknowledged that some companies are “abusing the system” under the H-1B visa program, he was adamantly opposed to eliminating the program completely, warning that doing so would be counterproductive.
On the future of work: “Work will become optional”
Mr. Musk predicted the impact of advances in artificial intelligence and robotics, saying, “In less than 20 years, working will become optional…almost like a hobby.” He envisioned a scenario in which automation might give humans the freedom to treat work as a choice, similar to pursuing a hobby, rather than a necessity.
About expansion plans: Looking forward to India through Starlink
Musk spoke about his satellite internet venture Starlink and expressed keen interest in bringing it to India. He said it would be “fantastic” to operate Starlink in India, highlighting the company’s global footprint across 150 countries and hinting at India being among them.
Advice for Indian Entrepreneurs
Musk offered some heartfelt advice to India’s ambitious founders and business-minded youth. Aim to “get more than you can get.” He said he respects anyone who wants to contribute more than they consume, and urged individuals to become net contributors to society.
A personal snapshot: In honor of our Indian roots
Adding a personal touch, Musk revealed that his partner is “half Indian” and that one of their children’s middle names is “Sekhar.” It was chosen to honor the legacy of the famous Indian-American astrophysicist Subramanyan Chandrasekhar. This news seems to be his special way of showing how much he values India’s traditions and history.
His podcast with Nikhil Kamath, which has already generated a lot of buzz, shows how Musk continues to tread the line between hard-nosed business pragmatism and deeply personal beliefs. Underlying his comments about India, immigration and the future of work is a clear message: talent knows no borders and the global economy could be richer because of it.
