Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Take-Two Interactive, recently shared a provocative perspective on the future of automation. During a panel at the Semafor World Economy 2026 event, he suggested that Elon Musk is more at risk of losing his job to AI than artists are. While many in the industry fear displacement, Zelnick believes the technology's true impact might target the world's most prominent tech figures instead.
Why Elon Musk is More at Risk of Losing His Job to AI Than Artists
Zelnick’s argument centers on Musk's deep involvement with artificial intelligence. During his interview, Zelnick noted that if any job were destined for automation, it would be that of the man who understands the technology best.
"If AI were going to get rid of employment, the richest man on Earth, Elon Musk, knows a little something about AI, last time I checked," Zelnick stated. He highlighted that Musk possesses unlimited financial and human resources, as well as an seemingly endless supply of ideas.
Zelnick further questioned why such a high-functioning individual remains so heavily involved in manual oversight. "The man works 20 hours a day; if AI were going to take anyone's job wouldn't it take his job, the richest guy on Earth? Wouldn't that be like job number one for AI to take. Why is he so busy?" He even joked that Musk might actually be a simulation himself.
Using AI as a "Heavy Lifter" in Game Development
Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human talent, Zelnick views it as a tool for efficiency. He believes the technology acts as a heavy lifter, removing mundane tasks so that developers can focus on high-level creativity. Take-Two’s strategy is built on three specific pillars:
- Be the most creative
- Be the most innovative
- Be the most efficient
Zelnick noted how much development has changed since he entered the industry in 1993. Back then, creating a simple lawn required an artist to render every individual blade of grass. Today, developers can essentially use an "AI on steroids" to automate those repetitive textures, allowing artists to focus on much more complex tasks, such as designing incredible creatures.
We have already seen this trend in other major titles. For instance, World of Warcraft developers have prepared to use machine learning to automate certain processes. Similarly, the production of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse utilized machine learning to help redraw thousands of comic book ink lines on existing panels.
The Fear of the "Creature Button"
Despite this optimism, some worry that AI will eventually evolve to handle even complex artistic decisions—a concept Zelnick refers to as a "creature button." This fear suggests that if AI can automate character design, artists may lose their most vital roles.
Zelnick countered this by explaining the difference between data and design. He argued that while AI uses backward-looking data, humans are required to create forward-looking hits. According to Zelnick, creators must focus on what hasn't been seen before to ensure success.
The Economic Argument for Human Employment
Zelnick remains firm in his belief that Elon Musk is more at risk of losing his job to AI than artists are, citing historical economic patterns. He dismissed the idea of mass unemployment by pointing to the "paperless office" myth.
"For those of you who think you're going to be made unemployed by AI, two things: technology creates productivity, productivity creates GDP, GDP creates more employment," Zelnick explained. He noted that despite promises of a paperless office driven by digital technology, offices actually use more paper today than ever before.
However, the gaming industry’s history with cost-cutting remains a point of concern for many. While Zelnick believes productivity will drive growth, there is no guarantee that all publishers will prioritize human-made art over cheaper, mass-manufactured AI designs.
