1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,080 We're going to talk about two major stories making waves in 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,440 the automotive sector. The 1st is Volvo's strategic 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,160 partnership with Connected Energy to repurpose old EV 4 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:12,680 batteries into new energy storage systems, a move that 5 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:14,840 holds promise for reducing battery waste. 6 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:18,160 And that second story is all about Tesla hitting the 7 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:22,920 milestone of producing its five millionth electric car and its 8 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:26,400 ongoing experiments in vehicle manufacturing, which could 9 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:30,910 drastically cut costs Now. Earlier this week, Volvo 10 00:00:30,910 --> 00:00:34,230 announced A collaboration with Connected Energy, a firm 11 00:00:34,230 --> 00:00:37,630 specializing in battery recycling, and Volvo has signed 12 00:00:37,630 --> 00:00:41,470 a letter of intent to construct battery energy storage systems, 13 00:00:41,470 --> 00:00:46,470 or Bess, following an initial investment announced last year. 14 00:00:47,310 --> 00:00:50,430 Now, with E V's becoming increasingly popular, finding a 15 00:00:50,430 --> 00:00:54,710 sustainable way to dispose of or repurpose use batteries has 16 00:00:54,750 --> 00:00:58,640 become a big concern. Now, Volvo and Connected Energy 17 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:02,240 aimed to tackle this issue by converting these old batteries 18 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:06,160 into energy storage systems, and these systems will employ 19 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:10,680 batteries from Volvo's existing line of electric buses, trucks 20 00:01:10,960 --> 00:01:14,760 and other machinery. Matthew Lumsden, CEO of 21 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:17,760 Connected Energy, shared his enthusiasm about expanding their 22 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:21,000 technology to the European market in collaboration with 23 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:24,440 Volvo Energy. Elizabeth Larson, Volvo's Energy 24 00:01:24,780 --> 00:01:28,020 Senior VP for Sales and Services, echoed these 25 00:01:28,020 --> 00:01:31,260 sentiments highlighting the benefits of aligning the project 26 00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:33,740 with the principles of the circular economy. 27 00:01:34,700 --> 00:01:38,180 Now Volvo expects to introduce this new energy storage system 28 00:01:38,180 --> 00:01:42,140 in Europe by 2025. Furthermore, and it's Gothenburg 29 00:01:42,220 --> 00:01:46,220 facility in Sweden, Volvo has already started using Connected 30 00:01:46,220 --> 00:01:50,820 Energies E store system to access grid response rates. 31 00:01:51,380 --> 00:01:56,150 Now switching gears, let's talk about Tesla, the EV manufacturer 32 00:01:56,150 --> 00:01:57,670 that continues to make headlines. 33 00:01:58,030 --> 00:02:01,030 This week, Tesla announced that it had produced its five 34 00:02:01,030 --> 00:02:04,510 millionth electric vehicle, a staggering accomplishment when 35 00:02:04,510 --> 00:02:07,350 you consider the pace at which the company has been ramping up 36 00:02:07,430 --> 00:02:11,950 its production. The first million took 12 years, 37 00:02:12,150 --> 00:02:16,790 the second million 18 months, and now Tesla is on track to 38 00:02:16,790 --> 00:02:20,350 reach the 6 million mark by early of 2024. 39 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,640 All of this production is contributing to Tesla's status 40 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:27,880 is the largest all electric car manufacturer globally with a 41 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:31,160 growth rate that shows no signs of slowing down. 42 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:35,280 Now what makes this story even more interesting is the way 43 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:38,760 Tesla is changing the game in vehicle manufacturing. 44 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:42,880 And according to a recent port, Tesla is getting closer to 45 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:47,000 achieving its goal of die casting the underbody of its 46 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:51,730 cars in one piece. Now, traditional manufacturing 47 00:02:51,730 --> 00:02:56,970 techniques often involve up to 400 original pieces that need to 48 00:02:56,970 --> 00:03:01,170 be assembled, which can be both time consuming and costly. 49 00:03:01,650 --> 00:03:06,210 And if Tesla succeeds, they could cut manufacturing costs by 50 00:03:06,210 --> 00:03:10,290 up to 50%, setting a precedent for the industry. 51 00:03:11,090 --> 00:03:13,730 However, the shift in manufacturing isn't without 52 00:03:13,730 --> 00:03:16,540 challenges. Tesla's working with 3D printing 53 00:03:16,540 --> 00:03:19,620 and industrial sand to make prototypes, which gives them 54 00:03:19,620 --> 00:03:22,820 greater flexibility for design changes without breaking the 55 00:03:22,820 --> 00:03:24,740 bank. And even then, achieving the 56 00:03:24,740 --> 00:03:27,860 final product requires overcoming substantial hurdles 57 00:03:28,180 --> 00:03:31,620 like the formulation of special alloys and fine tuning the 58 00:03:31,620 --> 00:03:36,060 molten alloy cooling process. But if Tesla pulls this off, 59 00:03:36,340 --> 00:03:39,270 they'll set a new benchmark for the industry, putting 60 00:03:39,270 --> 00:03:41,990 considerable pressure on traditional manufacturers to 61 00:03:41,990 --> 00:03:46,430 adapt or risk becoming obsolete. Now let's do a bonus story here. 62 00:03:46,590 --> 00:03:49,510 Let's pivot from the roads to space, where something 63 00:03:49,510 --> 00:03:52,390 monumental is happening. NASA is collaborating with 64 00:03:52,390 --> 00:03:56,430 SpaceX to create the human landing system, the Starship 65 00:03:56,430 --> 00:03:59,190 Human Landing System, which will play a critical role in the 66 00:03:59,350 --> 00:04:01,830 Artemis 3 and Artemis 4 missions. 67 00:04:02,110 --> 00:04:05,430 And these missions aim to land American astronauts close to the 68 00:04:05,430 --> 00:04:08,920 moon's South Pole. The HLS will use two distinct 69 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:12,560 types of SpaceX Raptor engines, one tailored for sea level 70 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:16,399 atmospheric conditions and the other for operations in space 71 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:20,320 where there's no atmosphere now. Last month, SpaceX showcased an 72 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:23,560 important milestone for the vacuum optimized Raptor engine. 73 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:26,880 They ran a test proving that the engine could successfully 74 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:30,120 operate under extremely cold temperatures, temperatures that 75 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:33,320 a spacecraft would experience after spending extended periods 76 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:35,800 in space. And this test is significant 77 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:38,760 because one of the challenges specific to Artemis missions 78 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:41,960 compared to low Earth orbit missions is that the landing 79 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:44,840 systems might have to remain inactive in space for an 80 00:04:44,840 --> 00:04:48,080 extended period of time. Now this causes the temperature 81 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:52,080 of the hardware to plummet to levels much colder than what one 82 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:55,760 would typically find on shorter missions closer to Earth. 83 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:59,280 The company and already reach a significant testing milestone in 84 00:04:59,280 --> 00:05:02,920 November of 2021 and SpaceX demonstrated the Raptor engines 85 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:06,640 ability to manage a crucial part of landing on the moon during a 86 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:11,120 281 second test firing. This test aimed to verify two 87 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:13,760 things. First, it tested the Raptors 88 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:18,000 throttle profile, its ability to modulate engine power over time. 89 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:21,520 Second, it verified that the engine could sustain and burn 90 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,120 for the entire duration of the descent phase of the mission. 91 00:05:24,630 --> 00:05:27,670 Both objectives were successfully achieved bolstering 92 00:05:27,670 --> 00:05:31,190 NASA's early trust in Spacex's engine development program. 93 00:05:31,710 --> 00:05:35,590 Simulation and insitu testing are vital for refining Artemis 94 00:05:35,590 --> 00:05:38,670 moon Landers. Now these test runs offer a kind 95 00:05:38,670 --> 00:05:41,590 of mission like validation of the systems that will be 96 00:05:41,590 --> 00:05:45,470 responsible for transporting astronauts to and from the lunar 97 00:05:45,470 --> 00:05:49,510 Surfaced and post test data assessments offer NASA 98 00:05:49,510 --> 00:05:53,150 continuously growing confidence in the preparedness of the US 99 00:05:53,150 --> 00:05:56,540 industry for the mission. And what's next for Spacex's 100 00:05:56,540 --> 00:05:59,020 Raptor engines? They're slated for further 101 00:05:59,020 --> 00:06:03,300 testing during Spacex's upcoming second integrated flight test, 102 00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:07,060 involving both the Starship in its booster, the Super Heavy 103 00:06:07,060 --> 00:06:10,500 System, and by bringing in SpaceX and its innovative engine 104 00:06:10,500 --> 00:06:14,780 technology, NASA aims to ensure the success of future lunar 105 00:06:14,780 --> 00:06:17,100 missions. With rigorous testing and 106 00:06:17,100 --> 00:06:20,350 continued advancements, the partnership could usher in a new 107 00:06:20,350 --> 00:06:23,630 era of space exploration, paving the way for more advanced 108 00:06:23,630 --> 00:06:26,070 missions that extend well beyond the Moon. 109 00:06:26,910 --> 00:06:29,950 While that was a packed episode and we've covered Volvo's 110 00:06:29,950 --> 00:06:33,110 efforts and reimagining EV battery waste, Tesla's 111 00:06:33,110 --> 00:06:35,390 groundbreaking vehicle production and manufacturing 112 00:06:35,390 --> 00:06:39,310 methods, and NASA's partnership with SpaceX for lunar landings, 113 00:06:39,590 --> 00:06:42,790 each of these stories presents a unique angle on how technology 114 00:06:42,790 --> 00:06:46,230 and innovation can address challenges and create 115 00:06:46,230 --> 00:06:47,830 opportunities for a better future. 116 00:06:48,270 --> 00:06:51,070 If you found this episode engaging, don't forget to hit 117 00:06:51,070 --> 00:06:54,590 the subscriber follow button on whatever podcast platform you're 118 00:06:54,590 --> 00:06:57,630 listening on right now. It's completely free and we'll 119 00:06:57,630 --> 00:07:01,550 keep you updated and posted on all the latest episodes of the 120 00:07:01,550 --> 00:07:04,750 Elon Musk Podcast. We have a fascinating topic to 121 00:07:04,750 --> 00:07:09,270 discuss a high profile meeting between Elon Musk and Israeli 122 00:07:09,270 --> 00:07:13,710 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Tesla factory 123 00:07:13,910 --> 00:07:16,960 in California. Initially billed as a dialogue 124 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:20,400 about artificial intelligence, the conversation covered a host 125 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:24,640 of topics including but not limited to anti-Semitism, the 126 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:28,280 political climate in Israel and the United States in the roles 127 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:31,640 of the Internet and social media in modern discourse. 128 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:35,080 Now this meeting showcased 2 leaders, each wrestling with 129 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:38,400 challenges and criticisms, coming together to negotiate a 130 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:42,000 middle crowd on some exceptionally complex issues. 131 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:46,040 Now the meeting saw Benjamin Netanyahu navigating his way 132 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,440 through a minefield of protests that extended from the San Jose 133 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:52,200 airport to the Tesla manufacturing facility. 134 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:55,480 The Prime Minister aimed to build a bridge to Elon Musk, a 135 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:59,720 Titan of artificial intelligence and technology, to both solidify 136 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:03,480 Israel's standing as a technological hub and possibly 137 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:06,570 attract future Musk ventures Elon Musk. 138 00:08:06,570 --> 00:08:09,930 Confronted by allegations of enabling antisemitism on a 139 00:08:09,930 --> 00:08:13,650 social media platform, X saw the dialogue as a chance to rebuke 140 00:08:13,650 --> 00:08:16,570 this criticism and explore potential solutions. 141 00:08:17,010 --> 00:08:20,450 Now the conversation took a turn when the topic shifted to 142 00:08:20,450 --> 00:08:24,170 antisemitism, an issue that Netanyahu insisted required 143 00:08:24,170 --> 00:08:27,450 immediate attention. The Israeli Prime Minister urged 144 00:08:27,450 --> 00:08:32,049 Musk to utilize his platform to halt the spread of antisemitic 145 00:08:32,049 --> 00:08:34,370 rhetoric. All within the boundaries of the 146 00:08:34,370 --> 00:08:37,950 1st Amendment, of course. Now, Musk responded cautiously. 147 00:08:38,230 --> 00:08:41,909 He expressed his disapproval of any conduct that fuels hate and 148 00:08:41,909 --> 00:08:45,950 discord, but was also keen to highlight the value he places on 149 00:08:45,950 --> 00:08:48,510 free speech. He mentioned that he is already 150 00:08:48,510 --> 00:08:52,550 taking step to restrain bots that disseminate hate speech 151 00:08:52,710 --> 00:08:56,150 across the platform. Now this high profile exchange 152 00:08:56,150 --> 00:08:58,800 highlights the intricate balancing act between the 153 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:02,560 preservation of free speech and the curbing of hate speech, a 154 00:09:02,560 --> 00:09:06,000 dynamic frequently discussed in social media circles. 155 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:09,880 Musk, known for his libertarian tendencies when it comes to free 156 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:15,000 speech, suggested a potential route minimize bot activity and 157 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:19,280 offer greater visibility to paid subscribers, assuming this would 158 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,000 act as a filter for more responsible speech. 159 00:09:22,560 --> 00:09:25,600 Now, both leaders are under the microscope for various reasons. 160 00:09:25,980 --> 00:09:29,420 Not Yahoo faces criticisms regarding his policy directions 161 00:09:29,420 --> 00:09:32,660 in Israel, including concerns that his moves could deter 162 00:09:32,660 --> 00:09:35,540 international stakeholders. Musk, on the other hand, has 163 00:09:35,540 --> 00:09:37,900 been questioned about his management decisions related to 164 00:09:37,900 --> 00:09:42,540 X, especially his decision to cut staff responsible for 165 00:09:42,540 --> 00:09:44,980 monitoring and enforcing community guidelines. 166 00:09:45,380 --> 00:09:49,220 Both seem to seek some form of validation or support from the 167 00:09:49,220 --> 00:09:53,220 other, a classic example of mutual but perhaps opportunistic 168 00:09:53,220 --> 00:09:56,650 political affirmation. Now, the meeting between 169 00:09:56,650 --> 00:09:59,410 Netanyahu and Musk wasn't just an isolated discussion. 170 00:09:59,410 --> 00:10:02,370 It reflected a confluence of wider ambitions that both 171 00:10:02,370 --> 00:10:05,170 leaders harbor. For Netanyahu, attracting Elon 172 00:10:05,170 --> 00:10:08,250 Musk's investment would significantly boost Israel's 173 00:10:08,250 --> 00:10:11,130 standing in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. 174 00:10:11,570 --> 00:10:14,850 Israel has already earned A reputation for being a startup 175 00:10:14,850 --> 00:10:17,850 nation, and locking in a partnership with a tech magnate 176 00:10:17,850 --> 00:10:21,570 like Musk could give it a pivotal role in Ai's future. 177 00:10:22,300 --> 00:10:25,420 Now this aligns with Israel's desire to not just be a regional 178 00:10:25,420 --> 00:10:29,100 player, but also a significant participation in the high stakes 179 00:10:29,100 --> 00:10:31,740 game of global technology and innovation. 180 00:10:32,340 --> 00:10:35,340 Now Elon Musk, on the other hand, appears to be keen on 181 00:10:35,340 --> 00:10:37,580 expanding his sphere of influence beyond the tech 182 00:10:37,580 --> 00:10:39,780 sector. His prior conversations with 183 00:10:39,780 --> 00:10:43,500 Chinese authorities about the need for a I regulation point to 184 00:10:43,540 --> 00:10:47,700 a broader aim to become an influencer in global policy 185 00:10:47,700 --> 00:10:51,590 decisions by engaging with international leaders like not 186 00:10:51,590 --> 00:10:54,350 Yahoo. Musk positions himself is not 187 00:10:54,350 --> 00:10:58,190 just a technological innovator, but also is a thought leader 188 00:10:58,390 --> 00:11:00,950 capable of swing global policy directives. 189 00:11:01,270 --> 00:11:03,990 This could be a pivotal transformation, as Musk's voice 190 00:11:03,990 --> 00:11:06,790 could potentially weigh in on the rules that govern the very 191 00:11:06,790 --> 00:11:09,310 technologies he's helping to create. 192 00:11:09,830 --> 00:11:12,750 What's more intriguing about their meeting said these broader 193 00:11:12,750 --> 00:11:15,230 ambitions might well be endeared dependent. 194 00:11:15,740 --> 00:11:19,020 Netanyahu needs influencers like Musk to validate and invest in 195 00:11:19,020 --> 00:11:22,780 his country's tech capabilities, while Musk benefits from the 196 00:11:22,780 --> 00:11:26,180 political legitimacy and international standing offered 197 00:11:26,180 --> 00:11:30,300 by dialogues with world leaders. It's a symbiotic relationship 198 00:11:30,660 --> 00:11:33,700 that illuminates how technological innovation and 199 00:11:33,700 --> 00:11:37,420 geopolitical strategy can be intertwined, making their 200 00:11:37,420 --> 00:11:40,940 interaction not merely a meeting, but a negotiation with 201 00:11:40,940 --> 00:11:44,370 stakes that could influence technology and international 202 00:11:44,370 --> 00:11:48,610 policy for years to come. Now, this meeting served as a 203 00:11:48,610 --> 00:11:52,490 lens through which to view larger challenges in the 204 00:11:52,570 --> 00:11:55,370 intersections of technology, ethics, and international 205 00:11:55,370 --> 00:11:57,410 politics. And whether discussing 206 00:11:57,410 --> 00:12:00,650 artificial intelligence, Iran, or antisemitism, these 207 00:12:00,650 --> 00:12:03,250 conversations underscored the complexities and 208 00:12:03,250 --> 00:12:05,650 interdependencies of these vital topics. 209 00:12:06,090 --> 00:12:09,730 Both leaders seem to concur that while technology can be a potent 210 00:12:09,730 --> 00:12:14,030 force for societal good, it can also be a catalyst for division 211 00:12:14,030 --> 00:12:16,990 and conflict. Elon Musk, the owner of X, 212 00:12:16,990 --> 00:12:20,030 dropped his bombshell during a live streaming conversation with 213 00:12:20,030 --> 00:12:24,550 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Yahoo amid declining ad revenues 214 00:12:24,550 --> 00:12:27,470 and increasing scrutiny from civil rights groups. 215 00:12:27,830 --> 00:12:31,190 Could a paywall be the game changing maneuver to win back 216 00:12:31,230 --> 00:12:34,670 advertiser trust and deal with the growing menace of bots? 217 00:12:35,030 --> 00:12:37,830 Now let's get into this. So here's the backdrop. 218 00:12:37,950 --> 00:12:40,430 During a discussion predominantly centered around AI 219 00:12:40,430 --> 00:12:44,250 units regulation, Prime Minister Netanyahu brought up the issue 220 00:12:44,250 --> 00:12:47,850 of managing hate speech amplified by bots on social 221 00:12:47,850 --> 00:12:50,330 media. And in response, Musk offered a 222 00:12:50,330 --> 00:12:53,810 solution. Charge a small monthly fee for 223 00:12:53,810 --> 00:12:57,890 using X, and According to him, doing so would significantly 224 00:12:57,890 --> 00:13:00,530 raise the bar for bots to create accounts. 225 00:13:00,930 --> 00:13:04,610 Each bot would require a new payment method, making it cost 226 00:13:04,610 --> 00:13:09,330 prohibitive for bot operations. Now, before, the proposition 227 00:13:09,630 --> 00:13:12,790 must have revealed that the platform's US ad revenue had 228 00:13:12,790 --> 00:13:18,070 plummeted by 60% in a prime driver, pressure from civil 229 00:13:18,070 --> 00:13:21,870 rights and consumer organizations influencing major 230 00:13:21,870 --> 00:13:24,270 brands. And while X has been trying to 231 00:13:24,270 --> 00:13:28,590 funnel its user base towards its paid service, X premium adoption 232 00:13:28,590 --> 00:13:30,750 rates have been anything but stellar. 233 00:13:31,110 --> 00:13:33,990 Some estimates pegged the subscriber count for X Premium 234 00:13:34,270 --> 00:13:39,600 in the ballpark range of just over 800,000 users, and it's not 235 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:42,400 uncommon to hear must make ambitious announcements only to 236 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:45,520 modify his approach later. But if we take his statement at 237 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:49,560 face value, this could be a tectonic shift in the way social 238 00:13:49,560 --> 00:13:52,920 media operates. Not many platforms have ditched 239 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:57,240 ad revenue in favor of subscriptions, although a few 240 00:13:57,240 --> 00:14:01,040 are dabbling in it, especially given the soft ad market. 241 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:05,040 The proposition to implement a subscription fee for acts brings 242 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:08,680 to light a key conundrum that's polarizing tech aficionados and 243 00:14:08,680 --> 00:14:12,640 casual social media users alike. On the one hand, a subscription 244 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:16,680 based model could be a panacea for the platform's revenue woes. 245 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:20,320 Providing a steady income stream does not beholden to the whims 246 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,120 of advertisers or pressure from advocacy groups. 247 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:26,520 After all, the subscription model has worked effectively in 248 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:29,760 other digital spheres. Think streaming services like 249 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:34,360 Netflix or Paramount Plus or any other streaming network out 250 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:36,880 there, or specialized news outlets. 251 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:40,760 However, the other side of the coin reveals concerns about the 252 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:44,480 democratization of information. One of the essential charms of 253 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:46,720 social media has always been its accessibility. 254 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:50,600 It's a platform where anyone can voice their opinions, seek 255 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:54,880 information, or engage in discourse without a paywall 256 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:59,750 acting as a gatekeeper. Implementing a monthly fee, even 257 00:14:59,750 --> 00:15:03,150 a nominal 1, risks creating an information hierarchy. 258 00:15:03,550 --> 00:15:06,750 Those who can afford it will have a voice, while others might 259 00:15:06,750 --> 00:15:10,830 be effectively silenced, or at the very least severely limited 260 00:15:10,910 --> 00:15:15,110 in their access to a platform that's become integral to modern 261 00:15:15,110 --> 00:15:17,990 communication. Then there's the question of 262 00:15:17,990 --> 00:15:21,190 user adoption. While Musk's figure of 550 263 00:15:21,190 --> 00:15:25,390 million monthly users may or may not include bots, let's not 264 00:15:25,390 --> 00:15:29,870 forget that X Premium service, priced at around $8 a month, has 265 00:15:29,870 --> 00:15:33,630 garnered A relatively meager uptake, only around 800,000 266 00:15:33,630 --> 00:15:35,230 users according to some estimates. 267 00:15:35,550 --> 00:15:38,590 And this raises questions about how willing the general user 268 00:15:38,590 --> 00:15:42,510 base would be to shift to a paid model, especially when the perks 269 00:15:42,510 --> 00:15:46,550 of X premium like fewer ads and the ability to edit posts 270 00:15:46,710 --> 00:15:50,470 haven't been persuasive enough to convert the majority. 271 00:15:51,350 --> 00:15:54,510 Now, beyond the financials in the bot problem, there's the 272 00:15:54,510 --> 00:15:57,380 societal angle. Both Musk and Netanyahu 273 00:15:57,380 --> 00:16:00,300 discussed the need to balance free speech with curbing hate 274 00:16:00,300 --> 00:16:04,260 speech and antisemitism. Netanyahu urged Musk to find a 275 00:16:04,260 --> 00:16:08,180 middle ground and undertaking that, while tricky, cannot be 276 00:16:08,180 --> 00:16:10,860 avoided given the platform's reach and its impact. 277 00:16:11,380 --> 00:16:15,500 And while Musk did not confirm a specific timeline or cost for 278 00:16:15,500 --> 00:16:18,980 the proposed monthly fee, the plan, if implemented, would 279 00:16:19,020 --> 00:16:22,140 alter the dynamics of the entire social media industry. 280 00:16:22,450 --> 00:16:25,730 It also remains to be seen how this move will align with X's 281 00:16:25,730 --> 00:16:29,490 existing problems, especially those tied to hate speeds and 282 00:16:29,570 --> 00:16:32,370 misinformation. And the backdrop to Musk's 283 00:16:32,370 --> 00:16:35,730 dramatic announcement is the revenue landscape that's seen 284 00:16:35,730 --> 00:16:40,690 better days for X in the revelation that X has made ad 285 00:16:40,690 --> 00:16:44,410 revenue that has drastically declined 60%. 286 00:16:44,730 --> 00:16:47,690 This drop is particularly significant considering that 287 00:16:47,690 --> 00:16:51,230 advertising has traditionally been the lifeblood of social 288 00:16:51,230 --> 00:16:54,070 media platforms. And while the reasons for this 289 00:16:54,070 --> 00:16:58,190 are multifaceted, a significant contributing factor, according 290 00:16:58,190 --> 00:17:02,190 to Musk, is the rights group, and they are steering brands 291 00:17:02,430 --> 00:17:05,869 away from the platform. It's important to remember that 292 00:17:05,869 --> 00:17:09,710 advertising is not just a source of revenue, it's a barometer of 293 00:17:09,790 --> 00:17:13,910 a platform societal acceptance. Advertisers are cautious about 294 00:17:13,910 --> 00:17:18,030 the platforms they associate with, and the retreat from X 295 00:17:18,069 --> 00:17:21,500 indicates A deeper problem than just financial figures. 296 00:17:21,819 --> 00:17:25,420 The platform is facing a crisis of trust, and that extends to 297 00:17:25,420 --> 00:17:27,460 both the users and the advertisers. 298 00:17:27,819 --> 00:17:31,100 Consequently, a decline in advertiser trust can set off a 299 00:17:31,100 --> 00:17:34,340 chain reaction. Fewer ads lead to reduced 300 00:17:34,340 --> 00:17:37,420 revenues, which in turn limits the platform's ability to 301 00:17:37,500 --> 00:17:40,820 innovate or even maintain current service levels. 302 00:17:41,060 --> 00:17:44,100 Is a slippery slope that can jeopardize the platform standing 303 00:17:44,100 --> 00:17:47,180 in the highly competitive social media arena now? 304 00:17:47,180 --> 00:17:50,850 That said, X has been attempting to work around to this issue by 305 00:17:50,850 --> 00:17:54,450 promoting its premium subscription service X Premium, 306 00:17:54,730 --> 00:17:58,050 which comes at a price tag of $8 per month, and despite its 307 00:17:58,050 --> 00:18:02,170 feature rich offerings, there aren't that many people using 308 00:18:02,170 --> 00:18:04,810 it. Estimates show that 800,000 309 00:18:04,810 --> 00:18:08,050 people have signed up, and that's just a drop in the ocean 310 00:18:08,050 --> 00:18:12,370 considering Musk's claim of 550 million monthly users. 311 00:18:12,770 --> 00:18:16,650 And this is an uphill battle for X and Elon Musk. 312 00:18:17,330 --> 00:18:20,930 They're going to have to lure subscribers to X Premium and 313 00:18:20,930 --> 00:18:25,170 they have to highlight the good things about X Premium and shift 314 00:18:25,170 --> 00:18:28,290 it from an ad based model to a subscription based one. 315 00:18:28,290 --> 00:18:31,330 In the future, we have an intriguing story that takes us 316 00:18:31,330 --> 00:18:36,090 to the frontier of biotechnology and human machine interfaces. 317 00:18:36,290 --> 00:18:39,370 We'll be discussing Neural Links Groundbreaking announcement, the 318 00:18:39,370 --> 00:18:43,410 start of their first human clinical trial, known as the 319 00:18:43,410 --> 00:18:46,530 PRIME Study. Now, with the green light from 320 00:18:46,530 --> 00:18:49,490 an independent review board, Neural Link is set to implant 321 00:18:49,490 --> 00:18:53,850 their brain, computer interface and paralysis patients to assess 322 00:18:53,850 --> 00:18:56,170 the device's safety and functionality. 323 00:18:56,490 --> 00:18:59,890 That's a big step for a startup from Elon Musk that's been under 324 00:18:59,890 --> 00:19:02,970 both scrutiny and highly anticipated. 325 00:19:03,410 --> 00:19:06,450 This is the moment many have been waiting for, the pivot from 326 00:19:06,490 --> 00:19:10,300 animal testing to human testing. According to Nerling's own blog, 327 00:19:10,300 --> 00:19:14,580 the prime study, short for Precise Robotically Implanted 328 00:19:14,580 --> 00:19:19,100 Brain Computer Interface, will be conducted over six years. 329 00:19:19,420 --> 00:19:22,940 The initial phase consists of 18 months of at home and clinic 330 00:19:22,940 --> 00:19:25,980 visits, followed by regular followups over the next five 331 00:19:25,980 --> 00:19:28,500 years. The target demographic includes 332 00:19:28,500 --> 00:19:32,220 individuals with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord 333 00:19:32,220 --> 00:19:37,140 injuries or lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS. 334 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:40,720 In this trial, they will have a chip surgically inserted into 335 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:43,400 the part of the brain that controls the intention to move. 336 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:48,120 This chip, placed by a robot, will then transmit brain signals 337 00:19:48,120 --> 00:19:52,000 to an app, with the primary goal of enabling the individual to 338 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:56,560 control a computer cursor or a keyboard solely through their 339 00:19:56,560 --> 00:19:59,960 thoughts. Now let's break down what the 340 00:19:59,960 --> 00:20:03,570 prime study actually entails. After getting the nod from the 341 00:20:03,650 --> 00:20:06,650 independent review board, Neuralink is moving forward with 342 00:20:06,650 --> 00:20:09,730 this initiative Focused on the practical application of brain 343 00:20:09,730 --> 00:20:12,970 computer interfaces, The implanted chip is designed to 344 00:20:12,970 --> 00:20:16,370 communicate with an app which will capture brain signals and 345 00:20:16,370 --> 00:20:20,290 translate them into actions. The immediate objective here is 346 00:20:20,290 --> 00:20:23,370 to get paralysis patients a way to control computer interfaces 347 00:20:23,370 --> 00:20:27,370 like cursors and keyboards without physical input, just by 348 00:20:27,370 --> 00:20:29,850 thinking about it. And the chip will be inserted by 349 00:20:29,850 --> 00:20:33,370 a robot into a specific region of the brain that's responsible 350 00:20:33,370 --> 00:20:35,970 for the intention to move. And it will be interesting to 351 00:20:35,970 --> 00:20:39,570 see how the technology evolves as the study proceeds over the 352 00:20:39,570 --> 00:20:42,650 next six years. Now the recruitment is open to 353 00:20:42,650 --> 00:20:46,450 people suffering from quadriplegia due to spinal cord 354 00:20:46,450 --> 00:20:49,410 injuries or ALS. The study is structured in such 355 00:20:49,410 --> 00:20:53,370 a way that it will be including eighteen months of clinic visits 356 00:20:53,730 --> 00:20:57,450 and at home monitoring, followed by five years of periodic follow 357 00:20:57,450 --> 00:21:00,070 up visits. And Neural Link has chosen A 358 00:21:00,070 --> 00:21:03,630 gradual approach, which could be a prudent decision given the 359 00:21:03,630 --> 00:21:08,190 sensitive nature of brain implants in the required FDA 360 00:21:08,190 --> 00:21:10,350 oversight. From what we've gathered, 361 00:21:10,470 --> 00:21:13,390 interested candidates can sign up through a patient registry on 362 00:21:13,390 --> 00:21:16,710 Neural Links website, providing them a chance to be part of this 363 00:21:16,710 --> 00:21:20,710 experimental and potentially life altering technology. 364 00:21:20,990 --> 00:21:24,110 Now, this announcement also puts neural link in the limelight, is 365 00:21:24,110 --> 00:21:26,870 a forerunner in the brain computer interface arena. 366 00:21:27,270 --> 00:21:29,830 And despite the controversy surrounding animal testing and 367 00:21:29,830 --> 00:21:33,350 the death of a monkey earlier this year, the transition to 368 00:21:33,350 --> 00:21:37,150 human trials could be a pivotal moment for both the company and 369 00:21:37,150 --> 00:21:40,230 the field of biotechnology. And while the initial goal is 370 00:21:40,230 --> 00:21:42,590 somewhat modest, enabling individuals to control a 371 00:21:42,590 --> 00:21:46,070 computer cursor or a keyboard, what we're looking at here could 372 00:21:46,070 --> 00:21:48,430 be the cornerstone of something much larger. 373 00:21:48,790 --> 00:21:51,550 And the technology has the potential to help us better 374 00:21:51,550 --> 00:21:55,150 understand the human brain and possibly provide breakthroughs 375 00:21:55,510 --> 00:21:59,310 and treating neurological disorders, among other 376 00:21:59,310 --> 00:22:02,270 applications. Though Neuralink has been in the 377 00:22:02,270 --> 00:22:05,750 works for approximately 5 years, it's experiments so far have 378 00:22:05,750 --> 00:22:09,230 been limited to animal testing and these experiments have not 379 00:22:09,230 --> 00:22:12,990 been without controversy. In 2022, one of the test monkeys 380 00:22:12,990 --> 00:22:17,270 died during project testing, leading to increase scrutiny of 381 00:22:17,270 --> 00:22:21,110 Neuralink's practices. And Elon Musk's inspiration for 382 00:22:21,110 --> 00:22:25,440 Neuralink, as reported in a book by Walter Isaacson, comes from 383 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:27,720 science fiction writers like Lane Banks. 384 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:31,680 There isn't this for a neural lace technology that allows for 385 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:34,000 seamless brain machine interaction. 386 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:37,480 Now last May, the company announced FDA clearance for its 387 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:41,600 human clinical trials and approval confirmed by the FDA. 388 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:46,320 Now additionally, Neural Link raised $280 million in funding 389 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:50,280 round led by the Founders Fund, and Neural Link didn't have an 390 00:22:50,280 --> 00:22:52,320 easy time getting approval for human testing. 391 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:55,930 Though the FDA initially rejected Neural Links request in 392 00:22:55,930 --> 00:23:00,410 2022 due to concerns about implant migration and potential 393 00:23:00,410 --> 00:23:04,130 brain tissue damage, and despite previous announcements, it was 394 00:23:04,130 --> 00:23:06,770 only this year that they obtained the green light for 395 00:23:06,770 --> 00:23:10,010 trials after addressing many of the FD A's concerns. 396 00:23:10,330 --> 00:23:14,290 However, internal voices within Neural Link have raised concerns 397 00:23:14,290 --> 00:23:18,170 that the company is hurrying its technology to market, which they 398 00:23:18,170 --> 00:23:22,330 argue has resulted in negligent animal testing in even a federal 399 00:23:22,330 --> 00:23:25,250 investigation. Now ethical questions loom 400 00:23:25,250 --> 00:23:28,290 large, especially when it comes to the treatment of test 401 00:23:28,290 --> 00:23:31,290 animals. An advocacy group for ethical 402 00:23:31,290 --> 00:23:34,970 science research, the Physicians Committee for Responsible 403 00:23:34,970 --> 00:23:39,450 Medicine, has called for an SEC investigation into Elon Musk for 404 00:23:39,450 --> 00:23:43,210 possible securities fraud related to his claims about the 405 00:23:43,210 --> 00:23:45,210 safety of neuro links. Animal trials. 406 00:23:45,450 --> 00:23:48,010 Publicly disclosed health records of the test monkey 407 00:23:48,010 --> 00:23:51,220 showed significant health issues post implant, including 408 00:23:51,220 --> 00:23:53,940 infections, brain swelling, and more. 409 00:23:54,100 --> 00:23:57,380 Furthermore, Musk's claimed that the monkeys were close to death 410 00:23:57,660 --> 00:24:00,540 have been criticized as misleading or even blatantly 411 00:24:00,540 --> 00:24:02,180 false. While the technology is 412 00:24:02,180 --> 00:24:05,460 captivating, Nerlink has a long journey ahead filled with 413 00:24:05,460 --> 00:24:08,220 challenges. From securing additional FDA 414 00:24:08,220 --> 00:24:11,820 approvals to addressing ethical concerns, the path isn't 415 00:24:11,820 --> 00:24:14,460 straightforward. Other companies like Synchron 416 00:24:14,660 --> 00:24:17,540 and have already implanted devices into the human brain, 417 00:24:17,780 --> 00:24:21,060 showing that Neuralink is not alone in this high stakes race. 418 00:24:21,380 --> 00:24:24,180 The future of brain computer interfaces is slowly 419 00:24:24,180 --> 00:24:28,180 materializing, but it remains a complex and sensitive area that 420 00:24:28,180 --> 00:24:32,990 demands the utmost caution. Jason Schein, Tesla's Director 421 00:24:32,990 --> 00:24:35,870 of Manufacturing at the facility, has recently shared 422 00:24:35,870 --> 00:24:38,750 numbers that are simply staggering, and by the end of 423 00:24:38,750 --> 00:24:42,510 last year, Tesla had over 12,000 employees working at 424 00:24:42,510 --> 00:24:45,550 Gigafactory, Texas, and the current count for this year 425 00:24:45,830 --> 00:24:49,750 exceeds 20,000. Now the grand vision. 426 00:24:50,070 --> 00:24:55,190 Tesla aims to employ 60,000 people by the time it fully 427 00:24:55,190 --> 00:24:58,030 scales cyber truck production at this factory. 428 00:24:58,740 --> 00:25:02,540 As the second largest corporate employer in Central Texas, Tesla 429 00:25:02,540 --> 00:25:05,340 is quickly changing the employment dynamics of the 430 00:25:05,340 --> 00:25:07,540 region. But the company isn't stopping 431 00:25:07,540 --> 00:25:11,540 at 20,000 employees, and according to Sean, Tesla is 432 00:25:11,540 --> 00:25:15,620 preparing to scale up to 60,000 workers at Giga, Texas. 433 00:25:15,900 --> 00:25:19,180 Now, this goal not only aims to make Tesla the largest employer 434 00:25:19,180 --> 00:25:22,900 in the area, but also calls for infrastructure adjustments, such 435 00:25:22,900 --> 00:25:26,180 as constructing a massive parking garage to accommodate 436 00:25:26,180 --> 00:25:29,890 the increased head count. Now, second only to local 437 00:25:29,930 --> 00:25:34,650 grocery chain HEB, Tesla's workforce expansion is more than 438 00:25:34,650 --> 00:25:38,410 just a series of hiring sprees. It's a signal of a major 439 00:25:38,410 --> 00:25:42,450 economic shift in a boost to the local job market, promising to 440 00:25:42,450 --> 00:25:46,210 reshape not just Tesla but the region's economic foundation. 441 00:25:46,570 --> 00:25:48,290 This won't just be another factory. 442 00:25:48,530 --> 00:25:51,930 It's a transformative project that brings along a myriad of 443 00:25:52,210 --> 00:25:56,140 opportunities and challenges. Now, Jason's insight at the 444 00:25:56,140 --> 00:25:59,100 State of Manufacturing conference at a layer of 445 00:25:59,100 --> 00:26:01,980 official confirmation to the speculation about Tesla's 446 00:26:01,980 --> 00:26:05,220 employment strategy. This gives us a factual base to 447 00:26:05,220 --> 00:26:08,940 understand Tesla's unfolding plans, adding credibility to the 448 00:26:08,940 --> 00:26:12,140 numbers that were previously either rumored or under tight 449 00:26:12,140 --> 00:26:15,100 wraps. But Gigafactory, Texas is not 450 00:26:15,100 --> 00:26:18,220 merely an assembly line for Tesla's electric vehicles. 451 00:26:18,610 --> 00:26:23,010 The factory has been conceived as a multifaceted facility that 452 00:26:23,050 --> 00:26:25,970 also focuses on developing battery cells and cathode 453 00:26:25,970 --> 00:26:28,570 material and a typical Tesla fashion. 454 00:26:28,810 --> 00:26:32,130 The company is integrating several aspects of manufacturing 455 00:26:32,330 --> 00:26:34,890 that are usually spread across multiple factories. 456 00:26:35,250 --> 00:26:39,850 By producing 375,000 cyber trucks annually and serving as 457 00:26:39,850 --> 00:26:43,410 the production base for Tesla's neck Gen. vehicles, the factory 458 00:26:43,410 --> 00:26:46,970 is set to become more than just a part of the automaker's global 459 00:26:46,970 --> 00:26:49,220 network. That's an ecosystem in itself, 460 00:26:49,460 --> 00:26:52,940 manufacturing several vital components and driving units in 461 00:26:52,940 --> 00:26:54,740 addition to the electric vehicles. 462 00:26:55,100 --> 00:26:57,820 Now the complexity and scale of the operations here add an 463 00:26:57,820 --> 00:27:00,940 entirely new dimension to what we know Tesla can achieve. 464 00:27:01,260 --> 00:27:05,100 Let's not forget, these products will also contribute to Tesla's 465 00:27:05,100 --> 00:27:08,740 eventual employee count Once the factory reaches full production 466 00:27:08,740 --> 00:27:11,290 capacity. It's reasonable to expect that 467 00:27:11,290 --> 00:27:15,010 the 60,000 employees will be involved in a multitude of tasks 468 00:27:15,010 --> 00:27:18,890 ranging from vehicle assembly to battery production and more. 469 00:27:19,650 --> 00:27:22,890 Now, Jason gave us a look into Tesla's ambitious plans for the 470 00:27:22,890 --> 00:27:26,570 Cyber Truck, the electric pickup truck that's been the subject of 471 00:27:26,570 --> 00:27:29,410 rampant speculation. With two million reservations 472 00:27:29,410 --> 00:27:32,330 already secured, the anticipation is palpable. 473 00:27:32,610 --> 00:27:35,810 However, Tesla has yet to disclose specific production 474 00:27:35,810 --> 00:27:39,130 numbers, ending a layer of mystery to the entire of air. 475 00:27:39,660 --> 00:27:42,580 And while Tesla's Fremont factory is said to be manually 476 00:27:42,580 --> 00:27:45,820 producing the Cyber Truck, the series production hasn't begun A 477 00:27:45,820 --> 00:27:50,860 Gigafactory Texas yet. The anticipation is so high that 478 00:27:50,860 --> 00:27:54,020 some industry experts think that Tesla could be producing the 479 00:27:54,020 --> 00:27:58,340 Cyber Truck for years to come based solely on the current 480 00:27:58,340 --> 00:28:01,420 reservation numbers. But it's not just about Cyber 481 00:28:01,420 --> 00:28:04,590 Truck. The Giga, Texas factory is also 482 00:28:04,590 --> 00:28:08,910 expected to increase its output of the Model Y, adding another 483 00:28:08,910 --> 00:28:11,630 layer of complexity to the factory's operations. 484 00:28:12,430 --> 00:28:15,310 Now, Tesla isn't just growing in terms of employees and product 485 00:28:15,310 --> 00:28:17,750 lines, though. Infrastructure is an equally 486 00:28:17,750 --> 00:28:21,570 crucial element to the equation. And according to Tesla, one of 487 00:28:21,570 --> 00:28:24,810 the most pressing challenges has been accommodating the swell of 488 00:28:24,810 --> 00:28:27,610 employees arriving from diverse locations. 489 00:28:27,810 --> 00:28:30,610 With the current workforce often traveling from various parts of 490 00:28:30,610 --> 00:28:34,850 Central Texas and even as far as Houston, parking has become a 491 00:28:34,850 --> 00:28:37,650 critical issue. And to address this, Tesla is 492 00:28:37,650 --> 00:28:40,290 building a large parking garage near the factory. 493 00:28:40,650 --> 00:28:44,290 Notably, Tesla isn't just addressing immediate concerns, 494 00:28:44,290 --> 00:28:47,650 but is also working on longterm infrastructure plans. 495 00:28:48,140 --> 00:28:51,060 The vertical integration with the factory implies that 496 00:28:51,060 --> 00:28:54,620 components typically outsourced by other car makers will be 497 00:28:54,620 --> 00:28:58,500 produced in house at Giga, Texas by Tesla. 498 00:28:59,020 --> 00:29:02,300 Now, this high level of onsite manufacturing complicates the 499 00:29:02,300 --> 00:29:06,140 facilities needs, requiring dedicated spaces and utilities 500 00:29:06,140 --> 00:29:09,060 for various types of production. But it doesn't stop there. 501 00:29:09,500 --> 00:29:12,460 Tesla is also contemplating adding a battery recycling 502 00:29:12,460 --> 00:29:16,940 facility and a cathode factory adjacent to the main plant. 503 00:29:17,180 --> 00:29:20,060 This reflects Elon Musk's broader vision for Tesla, 504 00:29:20,260 --> 00:29:23,020 wherein the copy not only leads in electric vehicle 505 00:29:23,020 --> 00:29:27,140 manufacturing, but also pioneers in sustainable practices and 506 00:29:27,140 --> 00:29:30,680 circular economy. Based on the current scale and 507 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:33,680 the impending upgrades, it's not farfetched to say the 508 00:29:33,680 --> 00:29:38,000 Gigafactory Texas could soon surpass Texas Fremont factory as 509 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:40,440 the largest car plant in North America. 510 00:29:41,360 --> 00:29:44,600 Especially as Tesla prepares to launch the Cyber Truck and the 511 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:47,120 upgrades to the Model Y production line are completed, 512 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:51,000 we can expect the Austin Gigafactory to take a preeminent 513 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:53,720 role in Tesla's global operations. 514 00:29:54,410 --> 00:29:57,250 Now, thank you for tuning into this episode of the Elon Musk 515 00:29:57,250 --> 00:29:59,370 Podcast today. These developments in 516 00:29:59,370 --> 00:30:03,650 Gigafactory, Texas highlight just how Tesla continues to push 517 00:30:03,690 --> 00:30:06,930 the boundaries, impacting both the automotive industry and 518 00:30:06,930 --> 00:30:09,410 local economies. And if you found this episode 519 00:30:09,410 --> 00:30:11,730 helpful, don't forget to hit the subscriber. 520 00:30:11,730 --> 00:30:14,090 The follow up button on your podcast platform that you're 521 00:30:14,090 --> 00:30:17,130 listening on right now. It's free, takes only a second, 522 00:30:17,130 --> 00:30:21,050 and until next time, keep questioning the status quo and 523 00:30:21,050 --> 00:30:22,970 please take care of yourselves and each other. 524 00:30:23,550 --> 00:30:24,550 I'll see you in the next one.