In a candid and unexpected interview earlier this week, tech billionaire Elon Musk opened up about the emotional roots of his fascination with robotics and artificial intelligence. According to Musk, his passion for machines began not in a high-tech lab—but in a lonely childhood marked by poverty and isolation.

“Growing up, we didn’t have much,” Musk said. “There were days when I didn’t have anyone to talk to or play with. So I started making little machines out of scrap—robots, in a way. They didn’t always work, but they kept me company.”

This rare glimpse into Musk’s early life contrasts starkly with the futuristic image he now projects as the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and xAI. While he’s often portrayed as a visionary pushing the boundaries of science, this confession highlights the deeply personal motivations that helped shape his journey.

Musk, who was born in South Africa, has previously spoken about being bullied in school and spending hours reading books alone. But this is the first time he has directly connected his childhood loneliness to his later innovations.

“People think I build robots to take over the world,” Musk joked, “but honestly, I just wanted a friend who wouldn’t leave.”

Reactions across social media were mixed—some users expressed empathy and admiration, while others questioned whether Musk was trying to “humanize” himself amid ongoing controversies involving Tesla’s labor practices and AI ethics.

Whether heartfelt or strategic, Musk’s admission adds a surprising emotional layer to the story of a man often seen as the ultimate techno-entrepreneur.