"I am an alien. Yeah, I keep saying I'm an alien, but nobody believes me": Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the maverick CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is no stranger to making headlines with his provocative statements and grand visions for the future. 

Recently, during an appearance at the Viva Tech event in Paris, Musk once again captivated the audience with his humor, insights, and ambitious plans. 

Amidst the serious discussions, he humorously addressed the long-standing rumors of his extraterrestrial origins by declaring, "I am an alien. Yeah, I keep saying I'm an alien, but nobody believes me."

Musk’s tongue-in-cheek claim about being an alien highlights his knack for blending humor with profound ideas. 

But behind the jest, he has consistently shown a genuine interest in the search for extraterrestrial life. 

He mentioned that if he ever found proof of alien life, he would share it on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter). 

This statement is intriguing, considering Musk’s significant influence and the global reach of his platforms. 

The idea that one of the most influential figures in technology would use his platform to disclose such monumental news underscores the era of digital immediacy we live in.

Regarding the presence of aliens, Musk mused, “Maybe we’re alone in this galaxy, maybe it’s just us and our consciousness is extremely fragile." 

This introspective view reflects the broader scientific curiosity about our place in the universe and the enduring question of whether we are alone.

Life on Mars: The Final Frontier

Musk’s visions are not confined to Earth. 

His plans for colonizing Mars are well-documented, and at Viva Tech, he reiterated his bold timeline: “I think we will have the first people on Mars probably within 10 years, maybe seven to eight.” 

SpaceX’s long-term goal of making life multi-planetary is not just science fiction but a concrete plan being meticulously pursued. 

Musk believes that becoming a “sustainable multi-planet civilization” is crucial for the future of humanity. 

He emphasized that this unprecedented opportunity might be available for only a short period in history, making the push to Mars even more urgent.

Musk’s remarks weren’t limited to space exploration. He also voiced his concerns about the direction of artificial intelligence. 

Criticizing OpenAI and Google’s Gemini, Musk stressed the importance of training AI to be truthful rather than politically correct. 

“Political correctness is often simply not true, and that means you’re programming AI to lie, and I think that will backfire very badly. 

Honesty is the best policy,” he argued. This perspective aligns with Musk’s broader philosophy that transparency and truth are fundamental to technological advancement and societal well-being.

When pondering the future impact of AI on employment, Musk painted a radical picture: a future where people might not need to work at all. 

He envisages a “benign scenario” where jobs are obsolete, a notion that both excites and concerns many as we advance into an era dominated by automation and AI.

Reflecting on his own life and choices, Musk expressed contentment with his journey, saying, 

"Overall I’m happy with how things turned out – I probably wouldn’t do anything. 

You don’t know if it comes out with a worse outcome. I’d be curious to see a younger me, but I’d probably stay invisible and not say anything.” This introspection reveals a thoughtful side of Musk, who, despite his larger-than-life public persona, remains contemplative about the paths he has taken.

Elon Musk’s declaration of being an alien, whether taken as a joke or a metaphor for his often otherworldly ideas, encapsulates the spirit of a man continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible. 

His vision for Mars, his concerns about AI, and his reflections on life showcase a blend of ambition, caution, and wisdom. 

As we follow Musk’s journey, one thing remains clear: his impact on our world—and potentially others—is far from over. 

Whether he is an alien or not, Elon Musk's influence on the future of humanity is undeniably profound.