A Tesla ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) Operator who also ran a YouTube channel reviewing the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software has been fired.
Known as ‘AI ADDICT’ on YouTube, John Bernal first joined Tesla in August 2020, six months before he started his channel.
According to his Linkedin profile, he worked on the ‘Autopilot / Vision AI’ team until January 2022, when he became an ADAS Test Operator.
Soon after moving into his new position, he posted a video showing his Tesla Model 3 hitting a bollard while FSD was active. The video went viral, amassing nearly 200,000 views.
In an interview with CNBC, Bernal says that prior to his dismissal later that same month, he was told by his managers that he “broke Tesla policy” and his channel was a “conflict of interest,” although his termination papers did not cite a specific reason.
Along with his termination, Bernal was also removed from the FSD Beta testing program, even though he had no “strikes” against his driving record that would usually prompt removal from the program.
Bernal did not pay for the FSD package on his personal Model 3 however, since Tesla offered the suite of features to employees for free.
This won’t be the end of the ‘AI ADDICT’ YouTube Channel. Bernal told CNBC he “still cares about Tesla, vehicle safety and finding and fixing bugs,” and has found other vehicles with FSD Beta to continue making videos.
