In discussions surrounding visions of the future and in creating the path that gets us there… one name pops up over and over.
Elon Musk.
Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no denying the influence and power Musk holds.
A quick glance at his resume is all you need to understand what I mean:
- CEO of SpaceX
- Owner of Twitter
- CEO of Tesla (TSLA)
- Co-Founder of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT
- Owner of Neuralink, a developer of brain-computer interfaces
- A founder of X.AI, dedicated to generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology
It’s his dealings in AI that are connected to Tesla that I want to talk about today.
Because one of the most thrilling arenas where Musk’s AI vision is taking shape is autonomous vehicles (AVs).
And it’s not just me who’s excited about self-driving cars.
LikeFolio data shows consumer interest in AVs is rising – mentions are up by 17% year-over-year on a 365-day moving average.
The concept of self-driving cars has been around for some time.
It’s not hard to picture a world where your commute hours become productive, where traffic fatalities significantly decrease due to the eradication of human error, and where mobility is universally available – unrestricted by age or physical condition.
Fully autonomous taxi services…
New forms of in-car entertainment for passengers…
Premium services for ride comfort and speed…
I mean, the possibilities are endless – and extremely compelling.
Turning that concept into a worldwide reality is another story.
But if anyone’s up for the challenge, it’s Musk.
And he’s going all-in to make it happen with Tesla and AI…
Making Human Drivers an Artifact of the Past
Solving the puzzle of self-driving vehicles doesn’t merely symbolize a technological victory; it’s a potential societal revolution.
The company that first perfects self-driving vehicles will essentially be holding the key to an entirely new, AI-powered world.
That’s what makes Tesla such an incredible opportunity.
Every Tesla on the road today is more than just a vehicle; it’s a data-collecting device, contributing to arguably the most extensive machine learning project in history.
The data gathered from millions of miles driven is processed to refine algorithms, improve system responses, and edge closer to the self-driving utopia.
And it’s made possible by Tesla’s “Autopilot” AI.
Autopilot is basically an AI software that can help you navigate, get a 360-degree view of your surroundings, steer, and even maneuver around objects without you being in the car.
Every moment it’s being used, it’s collecting more and more data to help refine its capabilities.
Once full self-driving is possible, anyone with a Tesla today will be able to take full advantage because every Tesla comes equipped with FSD hardware.
So, while regulatory hurdles still exist, a software upgrade is all that stands between Tesla drivers and an FSD future.
Our social media machine confirms consumer fascination with Tesla’s full self-driving capabilities. Mentions of buying Tesla’s full-self driving feature are pacing 68% higher year-over-year.
It’s yet another reason we’re along for the ride with Tesla. And we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Later this week, we’ll be bringing you another opportunity in self-driving cars – so keep an eye out for a new robotaxi report to hit your inbox this weekend.
For more Tesla coverage, check this out: One Big Reason Tesla Will Keep on Truckin’
Until next time,
Andy Swan
Founder, LikeFolio