- Elon Musk predicts robots will surpass human surgeons in the next five years.
- Musk’s comments sparked online debate.
- Current surgical robots are already assisting doctors in delicate procedures
Elon Musk is no stranger to controversy and bold predictions. The Tesla CEO has often been in the limelight for statements that have felt like a hard pill to swallow. And recently, the billionaire said that robots will be replacing human surgeons in the near future. In fact, Musk believes that robots will surpass the best of human surgeons in the next five years.
Musk made the statement in response to a post about rapid advancements in robotics, suggesting that the future of medicine could be reshaped much sooner than many expect.
“Robots will surpass good human surgeons within a few years and the best human surgeons within ~5 years,” he wrote on X (earlier Twitter). He added, “@Neuralink had to use a robot for the brain-computer electrode insertion, as it was impossible for a human to achieve the required speed and precision.”
Musk’s comment has sparked widespread discussion online, with many experts welcoming the potential but warning that it’s not quite as simple as replacing human hands in operating theatres.
While Musk’s statement highlights the rapid advancements in robotics, it also stirs up questions. The debate over AI and automation replacing human jobs has been ongoing for years, but it hasn’t yet occurred on a large scale in most sectors. However, if Musk’s prediction holds any truth, healthcare professionals, particularly surgeons, could find themselves facing the same challenges posed to other industries by AI advancements.
Meanwhile, advanced surgical robots are already assisting doctors in delicate operations today. For instance, the da Vinci Surgical System is widely used for procedures like prostate and colorectal surgeries. It allows surgeons to perform with enhanced precision, leading to quicker recovery times for patients.
