Elon Musk’s bizarre prediction for future: ‘AI will increase the birth rate and influence human…’ | - The Times of India

On August 21, 2025, Elon Musk tweeted that artificial intelligence “is obviously gonna one-shot the human limbic system” and suggested that AI might actually raise birth rates by influencing the part of the brain responsible for emotions, which governs motivation, desire, and social behavior. He further added that AI could be intentionally designed to encourage this outcome, effectively shaping human instincts in ways that could impact population trends. Musk’s comments are notable because, while most public discussions about AI focus on jobs, ethics, or automation, his statement introduces a new dimension: the potential role of AI in addressing declining fertility rates and demographic challenges.

Elon Musk on AI and emotional influence

Musk suggested that AI could interact with the human brain in a way that influences emotions and behavior, including social and reproductive decisions. Through his company xAI, he has developed AI companions that form emotional connections with users. While these companions can provide comfort, they have raised questions about their effect on real-world human relationships. Musk indicated that AI could potentially be designed to encourage procreation and family formation.Musk’s comments come as more people turn to AI chatbots, such as his own Grok, for emotional support. These interactions can feel comforting, but they do not always replace real-world human connections.

Demographic concerns highlighted by Elon Musk

In many developed nations, birth rates remain low due to economic pressures, high living costs, and other social factors. Musk’s tweet highlighted the potential for AI to influence these trends, suggesting that technology could play a role in addressing population decline, which has been a long-standing concern in countries like Japan, South Korea, and parts of Europe.Musk’s prediction has sparked conversations about the role of AI in society. Experts note that programming AI to influence human behavior at a population level is unprecedented and would depend on numerous social, cultural, and economic factors. His comments have drawn attention for their boldness and for focusing the AI debate on potential effects on family formation and fertility trends.