Recently, "first self-driving stock" TuSimple announced its official entry into the field of generative artificial intelligence (AIGC).

The company has partnered with Shanghai SANTI Animation Co., Ltd. to jointly develop animated films and video games based on the science fiction novel "The Three-Body Problem" series, marking the establishment of TuSimple's new generative AI business unit.

TuSimple will now be labeled not only as an "autonomous driving technology company" but also as an "artificial intelligence technology company."

TuSimple has no plans to exit the autonomous driving field and will continue to promote the commercialization of autonomous driving technology through technological cooperation and licensing.

Founded in 2015, TuSimple specializes in L4-level self-driving truck technology. It went public on the Nasdaq exchange in April 2021 and once reached a market value of $16 billion.

However, after going public, the company faced cash flow issues, hindering the mass production of autonomous trucks, and its share price declined significantly. The company also experienced internal disputes and high-level infighting, leading to layoffs, transformations, and delistings.

Reasons for TuSimple's shift to generative AI include:

The company's founder, Chen Mo, has extensive resources in the field of generative AI, and the senior management team is optimistic about this sector;

The autonomous driving industry has not yet achieved commercialization, and losses are severe, making it difficult for TuSimple to continue burning money;

Generative AI is a core application of the AI 2.0 era with rapid commercialization, helping TuSimple quickly identify customer segments and generate positive cash flow. The animation and video game market, worth $600 billion, presents new opportunities for TuSimple. However, competition in this field is fierce, and TuSimple needs technical advantages and product experience to stand out.