Elon Musk's Big Ask: A Trillion Dollars for Robot Control
The Proposal
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has made a bold request. He wants a massive pay package worth nearly a trillion dollars. In return, he promises to build a "robot army." This army, however, does not exist yet.
Concerns and Influence
Musk expressed his concerns during a recent earnings call. He worries about losing control of Tesla if he invests in creating these robots. He asked shareholders to approve this huge pay package to ensure his continued influence.
Tied to Specific Goals
The proposed compensation is tied to specific goals:
- Produce one million robotaxis
- Produce one million humanoid robots
- Increase Tesla's valuation by trillions
Achieving these milestones would make Musk even richer.
Contradictory Fears
Musk's fears seem contradictory:
- He has threatened to leave Tesla if the pay package is not approved.
- Yet, he also worries about being ousted.
This seems unlikely, given his past actions and the board's inaction.
Control Over the Robot Army
During the call, Musk downplayed the importance of money. He said the compensation is not about spending but about control. He wants to have a strong influence over the robot army, not necessarily full control.
Evolving Stance on AI
Musk's stance on AI has evolved:
- He once warned about the dangers of AI, comparing it to summoning a demon.
- Now, he is asking for more power to build advanced robots.
Current State of Optimus Robots
Tesla's Optimus robots are far from being a threat:
- They struggled with simple tasks like handing out popcorn.
- Musk acknowledged the difficulty in creating a robot hand as dexterous as a human one.
Grand Claims About Optimus
Musk made grand claims about Optimus:
- It will be Tesla's biggest product ever.
- He mentioned the possibility of robot surgeons.
- He predicted that Optimus will generate immense revenue.
Future Plans
Tesla plans to unveil Optimus V3 next year. The fourth version will be mass-produced. Musk joked that the robot will be so realistic that people will need to poke it to believe it's a robot.
Shareholder Opposition
Proxy-advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis advise shareholders to oppose Musk's pay package. Musk has criticized these firms, calling them "corporate terrorists." Despite this, shareholders are likely to approve the package.
