Tesla abgeschafft Dojo-Team - Rückschlag für KI-Chip-Pläne

Tesla has disbanded its Dojo team, a key project for developing AI chips for autonomous driving. The team, led by Peter Bannon, was dissolved at the request of CEO Elon Musk, and its members will be reassigned to other projects within the company. Tesla will now rely more on external technology providers like Nvidia, AMD, and Samsung for its AI efforts. This marks a significant shift in the company's strategy, as Dojo was previously seen as a crucial part of Tesla's KI offensive.

Tesla Inc. has disbanded its Dojo supercomputer team, marking a significant shift in the company's artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. Led by Peter Bannon, the team was responsible for developing in-house AI capabilities, including self-driving chips and AI model training efforts. The decision to dissolve the team, at the request of CEO Elon Musk, comes as Tesla seeks to leverage external technology providers for its AI needs [1].

The disbandment of the Dojo team follows the departure of over 20 employees, including senior-level individuals, who joined DensityAI, a newly formed AI company founded by former Tesla executives. The remaining team members will be reassigned to other data center and compute projects within the company [2].

Tesla's strategic pivot involves increased reliance on external technology partners such as Nvidia Corp (NVDA), Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), and Samsung Electronics (SSNLF). The company has already secured a $16.5 billion deal with Samsung to build AI6 chips for its next-gen self-driving systems [3].

This shift in strategy reflects a pragmatic approach by Tesla, acknowledging the difficulty of competing with established chip manufacturers. The decision to disband the Dojo team is not an abandonment of Tesla's AI goals but rather a strategic recalibration, prioritizing speed and flexibility by integrating external hardware and software solutions [1].

The disbandment of the Dojo team coincides with broader challenges Tesla has faced, including increased competition, falling sales, and a consumer backlash to Elon Musk's political activity. Despite these challenges, Tesla remains committed to advancing AI and robotics, as underscored by Musk's $29 billion compensation package [2].

By focusing on external partnerships, Tesla aims to accelerate the development of full self-driving (FSD) technology and advanced robotics. This approach allows the company to leverage cutting-edge, industry-leading hardware while concentrating internal resources on AI software, data processing, and application development—areas where Tesla has unique advantages due to its large fleet and real-world data collection [1].

The disbanding of the Dojo team signifies a significant change in Tesla's AI strategy, moving from in-house supercomputing to a more integrated and collaborative approach. This shift may expedite the company's journey toward mainstream self-driving and advanced robotics, positioning Tesla to maintain its leadership in the field as the landscape of AI continues to evolve [1].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-07/tesla-disbands-dojo-supercomputer-team-in-blow-to-ai-effort
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/tesla-shifts-ai-strategy-dojo-team-disbanded-external-partnerships-push-2508/
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/tesla-disbands-dojo-supercomputer-team-restructuring-2508/