Elon Musk said artificial intelligence and robotics may be the only realistic way to solve America’s growing national debt problem, arguing that spending cuts alone are unlikely to close the gap. “The only way we’re going to solve the national debt is with AI and robots,” Musk told biographer Walter Isaacson. “We’re not gonna solve it by trying to save our way there.” Musk said his experience leading the Department of Government Efficiency convinced him that reducing the deficit through the political system is extremely difficult because spending cuts create powerful opposition. He also argued that most lawmakers are not sufficiently committed to reducing government spending, while identifying Sen. Rand Paul as one of the exceptions. That assessment reflects Musk’s own political view rather than an established consensus. Instead, Musk is betting that rapid productivity gains from AI and robotics can expand economic output enough to make the debt burden more manageable.