Tesla's AI ambitions take flight as rivals race to keep up

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTesla's AI spending plan was reported at about twenty billion dollars, down from more than twenty-five billion, while rivals race to catch up.

2. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWith me is Winslow Achterberg of Lateral Dynamics Group, who runs a company in this exact situation. Winslow, is the leader slowing down?

3. WT

   Winslow Tabor AchterbergNo. To be clear, we're accelerating. Our spending is now more focused, and focus is what speed looks like from the inside.

4. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentBut the number went from more than twenty-five billion to about twenty. That's five billion fewer dollars pointed at the race.

5. WT

   Winslow Tabor AchterbergFive billion is a rounding error at our velocity. To be clear, we're sprinting efficiently, the way a runner sprints the final mile of brunch.

6. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentCoverage says the Optimus robot line built a few hundred units against a target of five thousand. Is that sprinting too?

7. WT

   Winslow Tabor AchterbergTo be clear, that's a limited release. We're accelerating toward scarcity. Scarcity is premium, and premium is fast.

8. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentMeta disclosed forty-one point six eight billion dollars of AI spending in one quarter. That's about double Tesla's whole reduced year.

9. WT

   Winslow Tabor AchterbergMeta is reckless. To be clear, we're accelerating by not spending, which means we're so far ahead we've stopped needing the road.

10. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentYou said you've stopped needing the road.

11. WT

    Winslow Tabor AchterbergI'm on my treadmill desk right now, at the highest setting. Feel that? That's momentum.

12. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentYour belt isn't moving. The treadmill desk is unplugged.

13. WT

    Winslow Tabor AchterbergIt's idling at maximum.