Gov. Brian Sandoval offered details of his initiative as the newly elected chairman of the National Governors Association on Saturday, getting some help from special guest Elon Musk of Tesla to talk about technological innovation and what it means for the nation and world.
Sandoval said he will focus on disruptive technology, from drones to driverless cars to alternative energy, during his year as chairman, to help governors stay “ahead of the curve.”
Musk, who divides his time between production of his electric vehicles and pushing toward interplanetary travel through his company SpaceX, said the world is changing rapidly.
In 20 years, owning a gasoline-powered vehicle with a human driver will be like owning a horse for transportation now, he said. Vehicles will be autonomous and electric, Musk said.
Sandoval, who helped bring Tesla’s lithium ion battery factory to Nevada in 2014, chatted one-on-one with Musk at the National Governors Association meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, in front of many of the nation’s chief executives.
The discussion was live-streamed.
Musk said the goal of Tesla, which is now producing its Model 3 car with batteries produced at the Gigafactory, is to move to a point where there is sustainable production and consumption of energy.
In the exchange, Musk was asked by Sandoval about the development of robotics and artificial intelligence, and he said it is a concern.
The Gigafactory is east of the Reno area.