Tesla’s AI gamble: Revolutionary or risky distraction?

Tesla has never been just a car company-at least, that’s what Elon Musk would have you believe. From AI-powered self-driving technology to humanoid robots, Tesla is betting big on artificial intelligence as its next frontier. But is this a masterstroke that will redefine the company, or is it a high-stakes distraction that pulls focus from its core business?

AI dreams vs. EV reality

Musk has repeatedly claimed that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software is the key to the company’s future, promising a world where cars drive themselves, eliminating human error and turning vehicles into autonomous money-makers. The problem? FSD isn’t there yet. While Tesla’s software is impressive, it still requires human oversight, regulatory approval is slow-moving, and rivals like Waymo and Cruise are making strides in the same space.

At the same time, Tesla’s vehicle sales growth is showing signs of slowing. Price cuts have helped maintain demand, but at the cost of profit margins. Meanwhile, competition in the EV space is fiercer than ever, with legacy automakers and startups alike chipping away at Tesla’s dominance. Investors once valued Tesla as a hyper-growth company, but with EV adoption levelling out, the narrative is shifting. Can AI and robotics pick up the slack, or is Tesla losing the core advantage that made it a leader in the first place?

Too many Bets, not enough wins?

Then there’s the Optimus humanoid robot-a futuristic vision that Musk claims could revolutionize labor and manufacturing. While the concept is intriguing, the product itself is still in its infancy, and Tesla hasn’t demonstrated a clear path to commercialization. Unlike EVs, where Tesla had a first-mover advantage, AI and robotics are far more crowded fields, with deep-pocketed tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia leading the charge.

Tesla is also diving into AI infrastructure, investing in massive computing resources to support its neural networks and machine learning models. While this could provide a competitive advantage, it also puts Tesla in direct competition with the world’s biggest AI players. Developing these technologies in-house is expensive and time-consuming, and it’s unclear whether Tesla can outpace companies that specialize in AI.

Beyond AI, Tesla has ventured into energy storage and solar solutions, further diversifying its business model. While these segments hold potential, they currently contribute a fraction of Tesla’s revenue. This raises another question: is Tesla’s multi-pronged expansion a sign of innovation, or is it spreading itself too thin? With so many projects in play, there’s a risk that Tesla could lose its focus and underdeliver across multiple fronts.

The balancing act

So the big question remains: Is Tesla’s AI push a necessary evolution, or is it a gamble that risks diluting its core business? If Tesla successfully transitions into an AI powerhouse, its valuation could skyrocket beyond what anyone expects. But if these moonshot projects don’t pan out, Tesla risks losing focus on the very thing that made it a trillion-dollar company in the first place-building great electric cars.

For now, investors are betting on the dream and the fact that Tesla remains head and shoulders above the rest in its core business- as its market value sits at a jaw-dropping $1.14 trillion, up from $556 billion early last year. 

Source: Companiesmarketcap

The real test will be whether Tesla can turn that dream into reality while maintaining its dominance in the EV market. As the company walks this fine line between ambition and overreach, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Technical outlook: A lasting upside?

The stock is making a bounce after days of lower lows, currently hovering around the $354 price level. Upside pressure is evident with prices now towering past the 100-day moving average- a bullish signal. RSI edging up sharply around the midline adds to the bullish narrative. 

The key areas to watch for buyers will be the $371 price level, a level that has held before. The next price to watch should prices breach that level will be the $400 psychological resistance level. On the downside, sellers could be held at the $320 psychological level. 

Source: Deriv X

Disclaimer:

The information contained within this blog article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as financial or investment advice.

This information is considered accurate and correct at the date of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information.

The performance figures quoted are not a guarantee of future performance or a reliable guide to future performance.

No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We recommend you do your own research before making any trading decisions.