Big funds, advisory firms and the Pope oppose the exorbitant plan. Approval means shareholders think the polarizing, distracted CEO can top past successes with an AI-powered strategy.

Norway's sovereign wealth fund said it plans to reject the nearly $1 trillion payout to Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, during its annual shareholder meeting this week.

The car-maker is lobbying fiercely for the pay package, which is being voted on ahead of its AGM on Thursday.