Tesla has launched the "Tesla Ride" program, allowing consumers to experience its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology and Grok AI in real-world settings. Participants can sit in the driver’s seat while a Tesla Advisor accompanies them to demonstrate FSD features and answer questions through Grok AI. Each session lasts 45 minutes and requires a valid driver's license and insurance. The program is available in multiple states, including Michigan, Virginia, Illinois, Nevada, and California, running from October to December 2025. The program emphasizes safety, with Tesla highlighting that FSD does not equate to full autonomy. Senior Vice President Tom Zhu reiterated the company’s focus on minimizing crash risks, regardless of road conditions. In a separate update, Tesla has also shifted its FSD purchasing model in Australia to a subscription-only service, pushing the outright purchase option to March 2026. This change reflects the limited time FSD has been available in Australia compared to North America, where it has been offered for years. In other news, Elon Musk's xAI is managing a significant debt of $18 billion, partly due to the acquisition of Twitter and the company's recent merger with SpaceX. This financial strain is prompting bankers to seek financing solutions to alleviate the burden as SpaceX prepares for an IPO. Meanwhile, the U.S. has covertly supplied approximately 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran to counter internet shutdowns amid protests, marking a strategic move to support communication in repressive situations.