In a stunning revelation that could reshape the way humanity lives, works, and moves, Elon Musk has announced an ambitious new vision: a fully autonomous underground smart city. The announcement came during a keynote address streamed live from Tesla’s innovation center, where Musk laid out a bold blueprint for a city built beneath the surface—designed from the ground up to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence, automation, and sustainable energy.
The proposed city, dubbed “NovaTerra” (a working title), would rely on cutting-edge tunneling technology developed by Musk’s company The Boring Company. Entirely underground, it would feature high-speed transport tunnels, robotic delivery systems, self-driving electric vehicles, and AI-managed infrastructure. Residents would live in smart apartments powered by solar energy and supported by real-time data systems that optimize everything from energy consumption to waste management.
“This is not science fiction,” Musk stated. “It’s the logical next step for civilization as we face growing urban congestion, environmental degradation, and the need for smarter, more resilient cities.”
The idea builds on Musk’s longstanding interest in solving traffic problems and redefining urban life. While critics have previously questioned the practicality of underground living, Musk says new breakthroughs in tunneling speed and safety have made such a project feasible within the next decade.
Perhaps the most controversial element of the proposal is the elimination of traditional governance structures. Instead, NovaTerra would operate under what Musk called “AI-augmented democratic systems,” where residents use blockchain-based voting platforms to make community decisions in real time.
Initial reactions have ranged from awe to skepticism. Urban planners and environmentalists have praised the concept’s focus on sustainability and reduced surface-level sprawl. Others have raised concerns about privacy, digital control, and the concentration of power in the hands of private tech firms.
Despite the questions, one thing is clear: Elon Musk is once again pushing the boundaries of possibility. Whether NovaTerra becomes a prototype for future cities or a distant dream, its announcement signals a new era of technological imagination.
“This is more than a city,” Musk said. “It’s a civilization upgrade.”
