Elon Musk Says Tesla May Tape Out Next-Gen AI6 Chips by December

In March 2026, Elon Musk revealed that Tesla could “tape out” its next-generation AI6 chip as early as December 2026. This step marks the final design phase before production begins. Tesla is also aiming to cut chip development time to about nine months, much faster than the industry average of 12 to 18 months. These chips are not just for cars. They will power self-driving systems, humanoid robots, and large AI data centers. This move shows Tesla’s growing focus on artificial intelligence beyond electric vehicles.