Tesla, Take The Wheel

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Happy Tuesday, FutureParty people. It seems like celebrity lookalike contests are popping up everywhere these days. But Glen Powell, the movie star of 2024, surprisingly upped the ante at a competition in Austin yesterday — a cameo in his next movie. The winner, Max Braunstein, will now appear in one of Powell’s upcoming titles. 2025 and 2026 at the cinema are about to become the blockbuster versions of Where’s Waldo?

DAILY TOP TRENDS

Tesla Wants To Remote Operate Its Car

Tesla’s new job opening announces that the automaker is building a “teleoperation” team — employees who can remotely operate cars and other tech — as it prepares to launch its robotaxi service.

Why It Hits: Waymo, the biggest robotaxi company in the US, already has a teleoperation team in place… but what it can control is still limited. If Tesla is able to develop the tech to a point where the cars can be remotely piloted by employees miles (or even states) away in an emergency situation, riders may be more willing to give the tech a test ride.

Between the Lines: Tesla may be establishing the EV equivalent of Air Traffic Control.

• The company is searching for a software engineer to help build out the tech to service its coming robotaxi fleet and Optimus robots (which were remotely operated during Tesla’s We, Robot event last month).

• The software would allow Tesla operators to communicate with riders via the vehicle or robot, access applications, and ultimately, pilot them.

• Operators will be able to control them using a “state-of-the-art VR rig,” per the job posting.

• The robotaxis are set to launch in California and Texas during Q2 of next year, so the teleoperation team will need to hire quickly.

The Future: Unlike Waymo’s geo-fenced and digitally-mapped service areas, Tesla says that its service will use cameras and neural networks to autonomously operate vehicles anywhere in the world. Like many of Tesla’s lofty ambitions, that feels like a stretch… but the flexibility could lead to a software update of consumer fleet, allowing it to be driven by remote operators as well. You know, just in case.

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Gen Z Suits Up With AI

A study by Google found that nearly all Gen Z knowledge workers are using AI in their day-to-day tasks.

The Big Picture: While overall AI use among workers is plateauing, the revelation that young professionals are actively leveraging the tools could ensure that the technology is here to stay.

Behind the Code: Google surveyed 1,005 full-time knowledge workers between the ages of 22 and 39… and found some surprising AI adoption.

• 93% of those between 22 and 27, and 79% of those from 28 to 39, use two more AI tools a week.

• They use the tools to revise documents or email, take notes during meetings, or brainstorm ideas, per Google VP of product Yulie Kwon Kim.

• Additionally, 88% of Gen Z respondents use the tools to start a task that “felt overwhelming,” per Axios.

• And 52% of Gen Zers don’t mind discussing their use of AI with colleagues.

Closing Thoughts: Google is likely very happy with these results, signaling to the company that it should double down on marketing AI tools to younger generations if it wants to become indispensable in the future. Speaking of indispensable, as AI threatens thousands of entry-level jobs, it may soon become a necessity for young workers to have experience with AI tools to land the shrinking pool of jobs that haven’t been displaced by the tech.

DEEP DIVES

• Read: Forbes profiles Alex Cooper, getting the inside scoop on her massive $125 million podcast deal with SiriusXM.

• Listen: Decoder chats with GoDaddy CEO Aman Bhutani about the state of websites on the internet and how the company is rolling out a tool that allows AI to build them for you.

• Check Out: Fast Company gets a tour of Walmart’s “vending machine” facilities that will be getting customers their Black Friday orders in a timely manner.

71.6% of you said Buy a tiny home in yesterday’s poll: Would you rather buy a tiny home or rent an apartment?

“How tiny?”

“While visiting Amsterdam, I saw smaller, track-style homes for 50k; it makes sense 🤷🏻. Why doesn’t the US move this way as well?”

“In the right location, a tiny home is an excellent investment as either a permanent residence or a rental property (at a much lower cost than a traditional home), especially when the cost of renting has skyrocketed over the past few years.”

“After renting all my life and never being able to afford a house, a tiny home would eliminate bad landlords, offer home ownership, and as an older person, less space to maintain is better!”

“I just like not having to pay a landlord.”

Let’s keep the conversation going. Join our Poll Of The Day newsletter so your opinions can shine. Discover how your views line up with your peers’, check out cool insights, and have some fun. It’s data with personality.

QUICK HITS

→ Entertainment / Media

🧙‍♀️ With $165 million in ticket sales at the global box office, Wicked has notched the record for the best opening of a Broadway adaptation.

💰 Neon secured a $200 million line of credit from Comerica to expand its operations and distribution footprint.

🦃 NBC may be tripling its price for the broadcast rights to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to $60 million. That event is no turkey.

→ Technology

🚗 California Governor Gavin Newsom will try to replace the EV tax credit if the new administration rolls back the federal subsidy.

🤖 Amazon plans to launch its own AI microchip to rival Nvidia.

🖥️ Amazon also debuted a quantum-computing advisory program as the tech inches toward societal adoption.

→ Creator Economy

📱 TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has been backchanneling with Trump advisor Elon Musk to potentially avoid a US ban of the social media app.

🛒 Linktree’s new Creator Commerce Report found that link clicks to creators’ brand partnerships soar over 150% during major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

🤳 Creator-focused talent management firm Night acquired rival Bottle Rocket for an undisclosed amount.