In a bold proclamation that echoes the grand visions of science fiction pioneers, Amazon founder and Blue Origin CEO Jeff Bezos has forecasted that by 2045, millions of people will be living and working in space. Speaking at Italian Tech Week in October 2025, Bezos painted a picture of a future where humanity expands beyond Earth, leveraging advancements in rocketry, robotics, and artificial intelligence to create thriving off-world colonies. This prediction comes amid a surge in private space exploration, where companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX are racing to make interplanetary life a reality. Bezos’s optimism stands in stark contrast to more cautious views, emphasizing technology’s role in unlocking “civilizational abundance” for all.
Bezos, who stepped down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021 to focus on his aerospace ambitions, has long been a proponent of space colonization. Through Blue Origin, founded in 2000, he has invested billions in developing reusable rockets like New Shepard and New Glenn, aimed at reducing the cost of space travel. The company’s motto, “Gradatim Ferociter” (Step by Step, Ferociously), reflects a methodical yet aggressive approach to building infrastructure for human expansion into the cosmos. Bezos argues that Earth’s finite resources necessitate this move, stating that to preserve our planet’s environment, we must “go to space to save Earth.” His recent statements build on earlier ideas, such as his 2019 unveiling of concepts for massive orbital habitats inspired by physicist Gerard K. O’Neill’s 1970s designs for cylindrical space stations that rotate to simulate gravity.
These habitats, often depicted as enormous rotating cylinders miles in diameter, could house entire cities with artificial landscapes, rivers, and atmospheres. Bezos envisions them as idyllic places where people live not out of necessity but by choice, enjoying controlled weather and abundant space. “In the next couple of decades, I believe there will be millions of people living in space,” he said during his speech. “That’s how fast this is going to accelerate.” This timeline aligns with rapid progress in reusable launch systems, which have slashed costs from tens of millions per flight to potentially thousands in the coming years. By 2045, Bezos predicts these colonies will support diverse economies, from manufacturing in zero-gravity to agriculture in controlled environments, freeing Earth from industrial pollution.
Central to this vision is the role of robots, which Bezos sees as the workhorses of space exploration. Rather than sending humans on risky commutes to planetary surfaces, advanced robotic systems will handle the “dirty work.” He elaborated that robots will routinely travel to the Moon and other celestial bodies, mining resources like helium-3 for fusion energy or constructing habitats. “If you need to do some work on the surface of the Moon or anywhere else, we will be able to send robots to do that work, and that will be much more cost-effective than sending humans,” Bezos explained. Imagine fleets of autonomous machines shuttling back and forth like trucks on a highway, extracting water ice from lunar craters to produce fuel or building solar arrays to beam energy back to Earth. This robotic infrastructure would make space living sustainable, minimizing human exposure to radiation and microgravity’s health effects.
Artificial intelligence plays a starring role in Bezos’s forecast, acting as a partner to humanity rather than a threat. Dismissing fears of AI-induced unemployment or existential risks popularized by dystopian narratives, he compared AI to historical inventions that boosted prosperity. “Civilizational abundance comes from our inventions,” he asserted, citing the plough’s invention 10,000 years ago as an example that enriched society as a whole. By 2045, AI will optimize everything from robot operations in space to daily life on Earth, enabling people to work fewer hours while achieving more. In space colonies, AI could manage life-support systems, predict resource needs, and even assist in creative endeavors, turning science fiction into everyday reality.
This optimistic outlook resonates with other tech luminaries. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, shares a similar drive, predicting human landings on Mars by 2028 and cities there soon after. OpenAI’s Sam Altman echoes the sentiment, foreseeing “super well-paid” jobs in the solar system for future generations. However, not everyone is on board. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has critiqued the space race, arguing in past interviews that resources should prioritize Earth’s pressing issues like climate change and poverty. “Space? We have a lot to do here on Earth,” Gates once remarked. Despite such skepticism, Bezos counters that space expansion will alleviate earthly burdens by relocating heavy industry off-planet, preserving the biosphere for recreation and light habitation.
The path to millions in space involves overcoming significant hurdles. Technologically, Blue Origin and competitors must perfect life-support systems for long-term habitation, including closed-loop ecosystems that recycle air, water, and waste. Economically, the initial investments are staggering, but Bezos points to falling launch costs—Blue Origin’s New Glenn aims for $10 million per flight—as a game-changer. Socially, questions arise about governance in space colonies: Who sets the rules? How do we ensure equity? Bezos envisions these habitats as extensions of human civilization, potentially governed by international frameworks similar to the Antarctic Treaty.
Looking deeper, Bezos’s vision draws from a rich history of space colonization concepts. O’Neill’s ideas, developed during NASA’s post-Apollo era, proposed using lunar and asteroid materials to build self-sustaining worlds. These could offer Earth-like gravity, vast farmlands, and even wildlife, as illustrated in concept art showing cylindrical interiors with cities curving overhead. Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef project, a planned commercial space station in partnership with NASA, represents a stepping stone toward such grandeur. By the 2030s, orbital tourism and research outposts could evolve into permanent settlements, scaling up to support millions by mid-century.
The implications for humanity are profound. Space living could solve overpopulation pressures, with Earth’s population projected to peak at around 10 billion. Off-world colonies might harness unlimited solar energy, transmitting it via microwaves to power global grids cleanly. Resource extraction from asteroids—rich in platinum, water, and rare metals—could fuel a new industrial revolution without depleting Earth’s reserves. Moreover, the psychological benefits are intriguing: Living in space might foster a “overview effect,” the profound shift in perspective astronauts experience when viewing Earth from afar, promoting global unity and environmental stewardship.
Critics, however, warn of potential downsides. The environmental impact of frequent launches could exacerbate atmospheric pollution, though reusable rockets mitigate this. Ethical concerns include the risk of exacerbating inequality—if space becomes a playground for the wealthy—or militarization of the cosmos. Bezos addresses these by advocating for accessible technology, noting that costs will democratize access, much like how air travel evolved from luxury to commonplace.
As we approach 2045, milestones will test Bezos’s timeline. Blue Origin’s upcoming crewed flights, NASA’s Artemis program returning humans to the Moon, and SpaceX’s Starship tests are laying the groundwork. International collaborations, such as those with the European Space Agency, could accelerate progress. Ultimately, Bezos’s prediction isn’t just about technology; it’s a call to action for humanity to embrace innovation boldly.
In his Italian Tech Week address, Bezos encapsulated this spirit: “I don’t see how anybody can be discouraged who is alive right now.” With robots paving the way and AI as our ally, the stars may soon become home to millions, transforming our species from Earth-bound to truly cosmic. Whether this golden age materializes depends on continued investment and ingenuity, but if history is any guide, human ambition knows no bounds.
