“Be optimistic about the future,” advises Elon Musk to youth: Can Gen Z afford that mindset in 2026?

Elon Musk advises young people to embrace optimism, but the reality of AI’s impact on jobs, particularly for Gen Z, presents a complex calculation. While AI is transforming workflows and replacing transactional roles, young workers face anxiety about adaptation and the velocity of change, demanding proactive skill acquisition over passive optimism.