Tesla’s AI Teams Brace for Challenging 2026 Amid Stock Plunge
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) shares tumbled nearly 7% Thursday as internal warnings about 2026 operational challenges surfaced. Ashok Elluswamy, VP of AI software, convened an all-hands meeting framing next year as the company's "hardest" period. The electric vehicle Maker faces mounting pressure to deliver on Elon Musk's ambitious Robotaxi and Optimus robot initiatives.
Musk's newly approved compensation package ties directly to success in autonomous vehicles and robotics, placing immense responsibility on Tesla's AI teams. With Robotaxi deployment targeting eight metro areas by year-end and Optimus production slated before 2026 closes, the company's technological ambitions now face their ultimate stress test.