Walter Isaacson: Musk needs Tesla's stock not just for the money, but also to control the company

Core Insights - Tesla's CEO Elon Musk has received shareholder approval for a pay package potentially worth up to $1 trillion, raising discussions about wealth inequality and corporate governance [1][4][12] Group 1: Pay Package and Shareholder Perspectives - The approved pay package is seen as a reflection of the growing excesses of wealth and may lead to a populist backlash, as shareholders felt they had limited options [4][12] - Historical context suggests skepticism about Musk achieving the ambitious targets set in the pay package, with previous milestones deemed nearly impossible yet ultimately met [6][7] - The current pay package requires Musk to sell a million robots and driverless cars, and increase Tesla's share price sixfold, which is viewed as a significant challenge [7] Group 2: Control and AI Integration - Musk's desire for stock ownership is driven by his need for control over Tesla's direction, particularly in integrating AI into its operations [9][10] - The discussion around Tesla potentially acquiring a stake in Musk's AI company, XAI, highlights a divide among shareholders regarding the strategic direction of Tesla and its AI initiatives [11][12] - The board's perspective on the differing missions of Tesla and XAI suggests potential tensions in aligning Musk's AI ambitions with Tesla's core business [14]