Parsa Tajik, an AI researcher at Elon Musk's xAI, drove his Tesla Cybertruck home after a 36-hour work shift without sleep and fell asleep multiple times en route. He credited the vehicle's Full Self-Driving software with keeping him safe. The incident sparked debate over work culture and the risks of sleep deprivation behind the wheel.
Parsa Tajik, a Cybertruck owner and employee at xAI, one of Elon Musk's companies, shared his experience on X after completing a grueling 36-hour shift without sleep to meet a deadline. In his post, he wrote: “Last night I left the xAI office after ~36 hours of working with no sleep. Although I was extremely tired, I was also super energized. Incredibly grateful to be part of this team. Happy Thanksgiving!”
Despite his exhaustion, Tajik decided to drive himself home in his Cybertruck. During the drive, he admitted to dozing off repeatedly, stating: “I lowkey fell asleep a few times. FSD came in clutch.” FSD refers to Tesla's Full Self-Driving software, which he said helped maintain control of the vehicle.
The post elicited mixed reactions from commenters. Tesla enthusiasts praised the technology and Tajik's dedication. One wrote: “Thank goodness you got Cybertruck to drive you home with FSD v14.” Another added: “The good news is that your car gets you home safely. Thanks to all the hard work from the team at Tesla, Tesla AI, and xAI.” Calvin Chen commented: “Parsa cooked so hard he got a Cybertruck, bullish!”
However, many criticized the decision as dangerous, highlighting the perils of driving after prolonged sleep deprivation. Commenter Lux called it “profoundly reckless, on both your part and your employer's,” noting it risked lives and equated it to immoral and potentially illegal behavior. Jason compared it to “bragging that you drove home drunk,” explaining: “Being awake for 36 hours is equivalent to a BAC of 0.16%. The legal limit is 0.08%.” Others sarcastically remarked on the choice to drive in such a state, with one imagining the impact on other road users during Thanksgiving travel in Palo Alto.
The incident underscores tensions around intense work cultures at Musk's companies and the limitations of autonomous driving aids, even as they prove useful in emergencies.