Elon Musk Says Tesla Gigafactory In France 'Probable', Claims He Is A 'Fan' Of President Macron

When asked about the possibility of a Gigafactory in France, Musk expressed optimism and praised French President Macron's efforts for the country.

Elon Musk praised France President Emmanuel Macron's efforts for the country's growth.

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Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and the owner of Twitter, recently gave an interview to French journalist Anne Sophie Lapix. In the interview, Musk discussed his motivations and the goals of his various ventures. Musk highlighted his commitment to advancing human civilisation and protecting it. He described Tesla's mission as promoting sustainable energy, SpaceX's mission as extending human life and civilisation beyond Earth, and Twitter's mission as providing a platform for diverse viewpoints to foster better understanding.

When asked about the possibility of a Gigafactory in France, Musk expressed optimism and praised French President Macron's efforts for the country. He emphasised the importance of promoting local production and making electric vehicles accessible without relying on premiums. "What I can tell you is that President Macron cares about the future of France. In any case, he does everything he can for this country. I’m a fan of the president. I like President Macron and what he does for his country. He’s smart man," Musk said.

Regarding his involvement in Tesla, Musk acknowledged some opportunism but explained that the main driver was the absence of other electric vehicle manufacturers. He believed that if Tesla didn't take on the challenge, nobody else would. Musk also shared the risks and challenges his companies faced, noting that success wasn't guaranteed and that they had come close to bankruptcy multiple times.

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— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 20, 2023

Musk addressed concerns about SpaceX's fuel consumption and its impact on the environment. He explained that while rockets couldn't be electric, SpaceX aimed to manufacture renewable propellant in the long term.

The interview also touched on SpaceX's achievements, such as its collaboration with NASA and plans to reach the Moon by 2025 and Mars by 2030. Musk expressed his desire to make humanity multi-planetary and emphasised the importance of having goals that motivate people.

The conversation shifted to the topic of artificial intelligence (AI), with Musk highlighting the potential risks and dangers associated with its misuse. He expressed concerns about AI being used for malicious purposes, such as manipulating public opinion or inciting conflicts. Musk emphasised the need for responsible regulation to mitigate these risks.

Lapix questioned Musk about Twitter's moderation practices and the rise of hateful messages on the platform. Musk defended Twitter's moderation efforts, stating that hate speech had decreased since the company's acquisition. However, Lapix cited studies indicating an increase in hateful messages, including interactions with extremists. Musk called for a balanced approach and warned against broad definitions of hate speech that could infringe on freedom of expression.

The interview concluded with a discussion on the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) regulation. Lapix mentioned that the regulation aimed to align online content prohibitions with real-life standards, and Musk affirmed Twitter's commitment to complying with regulations. He stressed the importance of respecting the will of the people and not going beyond what the law prescribes.

Musk also addressed the issue of lost advertisers on Twitter but remained unconcerned, noting that many advertisers had returned or expressed intentions to do so. He dismissed the significance of a poll suggesting people didn't want him as CEO of Twitter and expressed no interest in becoming the President of the United States.

Overall, the interview provided insights into Musk's motivations, the goals of his companies, and his perspectives on various topics, including AI, regulation, and freedom of expression on social media platforms.