You’re not just watching another political photo‑op here. You’re watching a head of government try to recruit one of the most influential tech CEOs into a national AI and autonomous‑driving strategy that could affect how you invest.

According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu held a conference call from Florida on Sunday with Musk that focused on advancing artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, with Musk agreeing to attend Israel’s Smart Transportation Conference in March.

Netanyahu’s office said the two spoke “at length” about AI development in Israel and the legislative work needed to clear the way for autonomous cars.

In a statement posted by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and amplified by the Government Press Office, Netanyahu said Israel intends to “catapult” itself forward and become “a global leader” in AI, just as it did in cyber and other technologies.

That message lines up with years of positioning Israel as a cybersecurity powerhouse and a hub for mobility tech, including autonomous‑driving firm Mobileye, which now trades separately after being spun out of Intel.

The Musk-Netanyahu agreement: why it matters

The headline item for markets is simple: Musk has accepted Netanyahu’s invitation to take part in Israel’s Smart Transportation Conference in March, a gathering that will focus on future mobility, EVs, and autonomous transport.

Several outlets, including Turkey‑based Yenişafak and regional tech sites, reported that Musk will join discussions in Israel on smart transportation and AI policy if the visit goes ahead as planned.

Israel plans to advance its development of autonomous vehicle technology.

Shutterstock

The Prime Minister’s Office said the call also covered “continuing collaborations with Tesla” and the advancement of Israeli legislation around autonomous vehicles.

Stock‑focused outlet Stocktwits News reported that Netanyahu’s office highlighted Tesla’s Robotaxi ambitions, while noting Musk’s agreement to attend the March event.

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For investors, this isn’t about a single conference appearance. It’s about Musk kicking the tires on a country that already has deep mobility and chip expertise, plus a government that’s signaling it wants to move fast on AV rules.

If Israel creates a clearer regulatory runway for self‑driving fleets or AI‑enabled transport services, that can influence where Tesla tests, deploys, and hires, even if the direct revenue line starts out small.

A relationship with history – and baggage

This is not the first time Netanyahu has tried to align himself with Musk and the broader AI debate.

In a 2023 live conversation on X (then Twitter), Netanyahu asked Musk to “roll back” antisemitism on the platform and pressed him on AI governance, calling the technology “a blessing and a curse,” as cited by CNN.

During that same talk, Musk described AI as “potentially the biggest civilizational threat,” wondering aloud whether “the computers or the humans” would ultimately be in charge. 

Netanyahu has repeatedly said he wants Israel to be a world leader in AI, telling reporters in 2023 that he was forming a team to shape national AI policy after discussions with Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

In 2018, he went further, calling Musk “a genius” and “perhaps the greatest technological visionary of our time,” according to The Times of Israel’s earlier coverage.

That history matters, because it shows that this isn’t just a one‑off phone call. It’s part of a multi‑year effort by Israel’s leadership to tie its AI ambitions to Silicon Valley power players, while also dealing with controversies around Musk’s social platform and his public statements on geopolitics.

For investors, that mix of opportunity and reputational risk is part of the calculus when it comes to brands, regulation, and where consumers and institutions want to be associated.

What Israel’s AI push means for Tesla and your portfolio

Investors shouldn’t buy or sell Tesla stock based on one call. But they should pay attention to what leaders choose to discuss when they have each other’s full attention.

According to multiple reports (such as Crypto Briefing) citing the Prime Minister’s Office, the Netanyahu-Musk call hit three big themes that matter for your money: advancing AI R&D in Israel, building a legal framework for autonomous vehicles, and deepening Tesla’s local cooperation.

Netanyahu, notably, drew a direct line between Israel’s AI ambitions and its earlier success in cybersecurity and other high‑tech exports.

Here are a few ways those themes could show up in your investing life over time:

  • Faster AV rulemaking: Israel is signaling it wants to move fast on laws for autonomous vehicles, which could make it a test bed for robotaxis and advanced driver‑assist systems, according to Sri Lanka Guardian.
  • AI talent and partnerships: A stronger AI push, tied to U.S. tech giants, could make Israeli startups more attractive acquisition targets for Tesla or other automakers building in‑house AI stacks, Opentools reports.
  • Reputational and political risk: Musk’s dealings with Israel, and criticism from some quarters over his visit, add another layer of political risk and public opinion to factor into how you assess the Tesla story.

For a personal‑finance reader, the takeaway is that AI and autonomous vehicles are not abstract buzzwords. They’re technologies that can shape growth stories in your portfolio, from carmakers and chip designers to cybersecurity and cloud‑AI providers that may partner with countries like Israel on infrastructure.

The more policymakers and CEOs coordinate, the clearer the road map becomes for where the real money will be made and the risks you’ll be assuming.

How to think about AI investing opportunities and risks

When you read about a head of government pitching a tech billionaire on AI, it can feel distant from your budget and retirement plan. It actually connects more than you might think.

On the opportunity side, countries that aggressively court AI and autonomous‑driving investment can become hubs for innovation and IPOs, which can broaden your investing universe if you’re using global funds or picking international stocks. Israel already has deep roots in chips, cybersecurity, and mobility technology, and an explicit AI push could reinforce that ecosystem.

On the risk side, tying a national strategy to a few high‑profile personalities means your portfolio is exposed not just to technology and execution risk, but also to political backlash, regulatory swings, and brand damage if controversies flare up.

As always, that argues for diversification. Instead of betting your future on a single AI or EV winner, you spread exposure across sectors that stand to benefit from the broader trends Netanyahu and Musk are chasing.

Related: Musk teases a bold new prediction for the US economy’s near future