Tesla Denies Hiring Ex-Cruise AI Head Amid Leadership Changes

Tesla has appointed Henry Kuang, former Head of Autonomy at General Motors' Cruise, as its new Director of AI and Deep Learning for Autonomous Driving, marking a strategic push to expand its robotaxi operations in the U.S. This hiring comes amid significant executive turnover, including the departure of Omead Afshar, a close Elon Musk confidant, and North American HR Director Jenna Ferrua, reflecting a broader company restructuring focused on AI-driven self-driving technology and robotics. While Ashok Elluswamy continues to lead Tesla’s core autonomous driving efforts, Kuang’s role underscores Tesla's commitment to scaling its autonomous taxi services, which recently launched a limited fleet in Austin, Texas with plans to expand to other cities next year. CEO Elon Musk has also pledged to achieve fully autonomous vehicle deliveries directly from factory to customer by June. Tesla's approach contrasts with GM's, which has shifted Cruise's focus toward autonomous technology for personal vehicles rather than robotaxis. The executive changes and AI leadership appointment highlight Tesla's aggressive strategy to maintain a competitive edge in the evolving autonomous vehicle market.