Though Elon Musk’s August 12 reply on X that ‘you will get flying cars’ might appear fairly inconsequential for the relatively near future, ChatGPT’s advanced artificial intelligence (AI) appears to consider an ‘Air Tesla’ a relatively imminent possibility.
Specifically, OpenAI’s flagship model took several seemingly unrelated developments as circumstantial evidence that at least a showcase of an airborne automobile might come as soon as 2026 and that a more commercial launch might arrive as soon as late 2027.
Why ChatGPT believes a flying Tesla could be coming in 2027
To begin with, ChatGPT reflected on a 2025 Joe Rogan episode in which the world’s first trillionaire discussed the upcoming – and often-delayed – Roadster and how its forthcoming demonstration would showcase technology enabling the vehicle to hover or fly.
The AI then linked the remarks to several developments over the years, including SpaceX’s (NASDAQ: SPCX) involvement with the model and the supposed inclusion of a ‘cold gas thruster’ in the demonstration now scheduled for August 2026.
Finally, ChatGPT reflected on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) relatively new rules regarding the powered-lift category, which could cover an ‘Air Tesla.’
Overall, OpenAI’s large language model (LLM) took these facts as circumstantial evidence and, after pairing them with Musk’s comment on X, explained it views a flying prototype in the third quarter (Q3) 2026 as plausible.
Following from the reasoning, it also estimated that an expensive commercial variant could become available in Q4 2027, though it emphasized the hypothetical hovering Roadster is unlikely to be a full-blown flying car as imagined in the genre of Science Fiction.
ChatGPT sets Tesla stock price for after the flying Roadster is launched
Elsewhere, after establishing why it estimates an ‘Air Tesla’ flying version of the upcoming Roadster as plausible, the LLM explained that it views the launch as a bullish catalyst for TSLA stock, but one with only a limited upside potential.
Indeed, in ChatGPT’s estimate, Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) shares are already exceptionally expensive with numerous potential technological developments already effectively priced in.
Under the circumstances, the AI explained that recent stock and electric vehicle (EV) trends already push its TSLA equity base case to between $350 and $400 – up to a 20.19% rally from $332.81 at the latest close.
Thus, OpenAI’s flagship platform estimated a successful ‘Air Tesla’ launch – likely in the form of a flying or hovering Roadster – could see the stock soar to $450 by Q4 2027.
Why a Tesla flying car might not be coming soon
Meanwhile, there are several reasons why ChatGPT’s scenario constitutes a plausibility and a possibility rather than a probability. Over the years, Elon Musk has become famous for promising various revolutionary technological developments that overwhelmingly failed to materialize.
Such a history casts doubt on just how seriously his ‘you will get flying cars’ should be taken. Additionally, even if the Roadster proves capable of modest liftoff, it should be noted that the first hovercraft was invented as far back as 1955, making such an achievement less than a revolutionary breakthrough.
Indeed, it is possible that an ‘Air Tesla’ could, once it is made, constitute something of a sidegrade to the traditional hovercraft or, indeed, a new version of the type of vehicle rather than a move toward cars seen in Blade Runner or The Fifth Element.
Simultaneously, it could also represent an American variant of the Chinese ‘flying cars,’ though such an outcome would almost certainly prevent it from falling under the Roadster brand.
Finally, the context of the remark could also betray something about its veracity. Specifically, the promise came in reply to Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch declaring that instead of flying cars, humanity received ‘infinite superintelligence for everyone.’
By most definitions, ‘superintelligence’ is yet to be achieved, and there is little concrete proof it is even imminent, increasing the risk that the exchange was largely fanciful.
Featured image via Shutterstock
