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"Bottle rocket" instead of data leak

Tesla is pulling the ripcord: After several data leaks through the use of external AI tools such as ChatGPT became known, the company is now drawing the consequences - and they are radical. No more external AI services, no more ChatGPT, no more open tools. Instead, Tesla has developed its own AI platform without further ado: "Bottle Rocket".

And the name is no coincidence. Because this is not about playing around - it's about full data control.

The problem: AI can also be dangerous

What many people underestimate: Anyone who writes a text in ChatGPT uploads content to external servers - usually in the USA. What happens to internal company data is often completely opaque. This is exactly what led to unpleasant incidents at Tesla: Employees had typed sensitive information into external AI systems - and thus unintentionally opened up security gaps.

The management reacted promptly: banning third-party AI and introducing its own solution that runs entirely on its own servers.

Bottle Rocket: Tesla's closed AI offensive

Just like ChatGPT, "Bottle Rocket" is based on large language models. But: the entire infrastructure is hosted internally. No cloud, no data outflow. In this way, Tesla wants to ensure that confidential information is processed exclusively within the company.

The range of applications is broad:

• automatic translations
• Draft texts for reports, emails or presentations
• Support with project work
• internal knowledge databases

In short, everything that was previously done with external AI is now done by the in-house solution.

AI yes - but with clear rules

Another exciting aspect is that from 2026, all AI-generated content must be labeled. Whether it's an email, log or documentation - if Bottle Rocket was involved, it should be visible. In this way, Tesla is creating transparency and meeting increasing regulatory requirements at the same time.

Clear boundaries are also drawn: Particularly sensitive areas such as contract design or product development are completely taboo for external tools. Strict internal guidelines apply to prevent data from falling into the wrong hands again.

The only logical step

Honestly, Tesla is doing almost everything right here. While other companies are still hoping that their employees are already using ChatGPT & Co. "sensibly", Tesla is simply creating facts.

The real sticking point is not the technology - but the control. Those who use external AI lose precisely that. The fact that Tesla is setting up its own platform with "Bottle Rocket" is not only clever, but urgently needed.

After all, anyone who still believes that they will be able to run their intellectual property unsecured over other people's servers in 2025 had better not have any trade secrets. Will other companies follow suit? A matter of time. The truth is: digital sovereignty is becoming the new obligation. Those who ignore it will end up paying twice - with data and with trust.