I think it's also related to automation in manufacturing. I imagine Tesla gets lots of sales people trying to pitch "ML-enhanced manufacturing solution".

Many repetitive tasks are better suited to a simple heuristic. In those scenarios using ML as a solution is like building a rocket to fly from SF to LA. In many cases, heuristics are both simpler and the best solution to a problem, but many companies are falling into the hype trap and using ML to solve problems where it's actually complete overkill or unnecessary.

Questioner was referring to use of AI elsewhere besides in robots and cars. He didn't see the point of using it in factories or infrastructure (they probably don't have the infrastructure complexity and scale to make it worthwhile like it is for other companies).

Thanks, that makes more sense.

He didn't say they don't use it.