Tesla Caps AI Spending at $200 Weekly, Joins Uber in Cost Controls

Tesla has implemented a default $200 weekly cap on employee AI tool spending starting July 6, following reports of engineers previously burning through thousands of dollars in tokens. The policy, which requires approvals for higher usage and excludes xAI beta products, mirrors Uber’s earlier $1,500 monthly limit after the ride-hailing firm exhausted its annual AI budget in just four months. Accenture has also urged staff to be more selective with generative AI queries as token costs escalate. The developments signal a broader industry shift from unchecked AI experimentation to disciplined cost management, while highlighting ongoing reliance on Musk-linked vendors like xAI and Cursor.