Benjamin Netanyahu and Elon Musk plan AI and smart transport push

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a joint conference call on Sunday night from Florida with entrepreneur Elon Musk, Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Head of the National AI Directorate Erez Eskel.

The discussion focused on smart mobility, autonomous vehicles and the next phase of Israel's artificial intelligence strategy.

During the conversation, Musk accepted an invitation from Netanyahu and Regev to take part in a smart transportation conference scheduled for March in Israel. The event is expected to spotlight cutting-edge mobility solutions, including autonomous driving, and position Israel as a key testing ground for future transport technologies.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the call also examined ways to expand cooperation with Tesla and push forward legislation related to self-driving vehicles. Officials see updated legal frameworks as essential for enabling wider deployment of autonomous systems on Israeli roads, while maintaining safety and regulatory oversight.

Netanyahu and Musk spoke at length about promoting and developing artificial intelligence in Israel, building on the country's existing strengths in cyber and deep tech. The Prime Minister said that the government aims to make Israel a global centre for AI innovation, backed by both domestic talent and partnerships with leading international companies.

"We intend to propel Israel forward and turn it into a global leader in this field, just as we did in cyber and other technologies," Netanyahu said during the call, framing AI as a strategic priority for the country's economy and security.

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