Tesla's Focus Shifts to AI5/AI6 Chips as Dojo Project is Disbanded

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has shifted focus from the Dojo supercomputer project to in-house AI5 and AI6 chips for self-driving technology and Optimus robot. The closure of the Dojo project means Tesla will rely on external chip suppliers. Musk stated that AI6 will take over the role of Dojo, combining and improving its features. Tesla stock gained 2.3% despite the news, driven by investors reacting positively to Musk's clarification.

Tesla Inc. has made a significant strategic shift by disbanding its Dojo supercomputer team, marking a major change in the company's approach to artificial intelligence (AI) and self-driving technology. The decision, announced by CEO Elon Musk, indicates a pivot towards greater reliance on external technology partners and in-house AI chip development.

The Dojo project, which was designed to train machine-learning models for Tesla's autonomous driving systems and humanoid robot Optimus, has been shut down. Peter Bannon, the project's leader, is leaving the company, and the remaining Dojo team members are being reassigned to other data center and compute projects within Tesla [1].

Musk has confirmed that the company's next-generation AI6 chip will serve as the successor to the Dojo project. The AI6 chip, to be manufactured by Samsung, will be used in Tesla's vehicles and robots for real-time decision-making. Musk stated that the AI6 chip will be "excellent for inference and at least pretty good for training," signaling a focus on improving the capabilities of the company's AI technologies [3].

This shift in strategy comes amidst a broader context of Tesla's efforts to position itself as an AI and robotics company, rather than just an electric vehicle manufacturer. The company has been running test Robotaxi services in Austin, Texas, and San Francisco, highlighting its ambitions in AI-driven self-driving technology and robotics [2].

The closure of the Dojo project and increased reliance on external partners could have significant implications for the AI and autonomous vehicle industry. It may signal a trend towards collaboration and specialization, rather than in-house development of all components. As Tesla redirects its focus and resources, the industry will be closely watching the company's progress in AI-driven self-driving technology and robotics [2].

Despite the news of the Dojo project's closure, Tesla's stock gained 2.3% on Friday, driven by investors reacting positively to Musk's clarification of the company's strategic direction. This indicates that investors are supportive of Tesla's new focus on AI chip development and its partnership with external technology providers [1].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-07/tesla-disbands-dojo-supercomputer-team-in-blow-to-ai-effort
[2] https://theoutpost.ai/news-story/tesla-shuts-down-dojo-supercomputer-project-shifts-ai-strategy-18852/
[3] https://www.engadget.com/ai/tesla-shuts-down-in-house-dojo-ai-supercomputer-project-155420734.html