Tesla lays off nearly 200 Autopilot employees who help train the company’s AI

Most of the workers laid off byTesla were tasked with labeling data to help train the company's autopilot artificial intelligence system. The layoffs are the latest in a long line of job losses at the company.

Employees working on the company's autopilot feature were among those who were laid off. Workers were tasked with labeling training data. Many companies have turned to cheaper sources of labor in less developed countries to collect this input.

The San Mateo office of the electric car maker had a staff of over 200. The publication states that 195 employees have been laid off, including data labelers, analysts, and supervisors.

There were 99,289 employees at the end of the year. Musk said earlier this month that he had a bad feeling about the US economy and that the layoffs were due to overstaffing. Initially, Musk said job losses would mostly affect salaried workers, but later reports said hourly workers are also at risk.

It has been argued that the methods for reducing its workforce have been controversial. The company is accused of violating federal law by failing to give 60 days' notice before mass layoffs at its Nevada facility. Sources told the publication that most of the workers were terminated based on their performance, meaning that they wouldn't have to give advance notice.