Elon Musk stated in a Tesla earnings call that he requires a pay package potentially worth nearly $1 trillion to maintain control over the company’s future “robot army.” He expressed concern about being ousted as CEO and losing influence over these non-existent legions of humanoid robots. The proposed compensation is tied to ambitious milestones, including the production of 1 million robotaxis and humanoid robots, and a significant increase in Tesla’s valuation. Musk’s statements suggest a conditional commitment to Tesla, implying he might leave if the pay package isn’t approved, despite previous threats to do so. He downplayed the personal importance of the money, emphasizing his desire for “strong influence” over the robot army. This comes from a figure who has previously warned about the existential risks of AI, now seeking immense power. The current Tesla Optimus robots have shown limitations, struggling with simple tasks and requiring remote control, though Musk envisions them as Tesla’s biggest product and an “infinite money glitch.” Proxy advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis are recommending shareholders reject the pay package, labeling Musk’s reaction as “corporate terrorists.” Despite this, shareholders are likely to approve the proposal, potentially making Musk the world’s first trillionaire with significant control over his “robot army.”
