Tesla employee loses his job for his YouTube videos on FSD Beta
A few months ago, we were telling you about the YouTube channel AI Addict. Indeed, this channel is a goldmine when it comes to Tesla’s Beta Full Self Driving (fully autonomous driving, or FSD) technology. The videos are complete, and the user uses the technology in a realistic context, while remaining neutral and objective during his analyses.
We also learn that this technology is far from perfect and can cause the vehicle to perform dangerous maneuvers. We just learned that the person behind this channel is an ex-Tesla employee who recently lost his job.
During an interview with the American media CNBC, John Bernal explains how Tesla fired him shortly after he posted a video discussing another failure with FSD technology. He claims that, at the time of his thank you, his superiors informed him that his channel was against Tesla policies and was in a “conflict of interest.” »
In his most recent video discussing his firing, Bernal explains that all of his videos were filmed from his own personal vehicle, outside of work hours and outside of Tesla’s testing territory. He even says he paid for the FSD software himself.
CNBC has obtained a copy of Tesla’s social media policy. It makes no direct reference to public reviews of its products. The policy states, “Tesla relies on the good judgment and common sense of its employees to act responsibly on social media.” She then lists what she considers to be social networks: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, LinkedIn, WeChat and personal blogs. YouTube is however not mentioned.
One video too many
The last video that AI Addict published before its creator was fired showed a Tesla Model 3 driving in FSD Beta mode (version 10.10 (2021.44.30.15)) on the streets of San Jose. The video in question focuses on a failure when the vehicle encounters bollards installed on the shoulder. His Tesla suddenly spins straight to the bollards. If the driver had not regained control, an accident would have occurred.
Such a finding is just one of hundreds that John Bernal has made on his channel. Hired by Tesla in August 2020 as a data annotation specialist, then promoted to operator of advanced driver assistance systems, Mr. Bernal quickly purchased a Model 3 to do his own analyzes of the FSD autonomous technology which retails, it should be noted, for $10,600.
Still in love with the company
A lover of Tesla technologies and products, John Bernal has used his YouTube channel to inform consumers about the company’s developments in autonomous vehicles, but also to embellish his personal research and analysis. To date, the chain AI Addict remains the most complete in terms of analysis on Tesla FSD.
The dismissal of John Bernal will not prevent him from continuing to do his analyses. Although he testifies that Tesla canceled his subscription to the technology – even though he owned it – other Tesla vehicle owners have graciously loaned their vehicles to him for him to continue operating his channel. He says that, despite this unfortunate mishap, he continues to admire Tesla’s products and the technology it develops.
