xAI

OpenAI launched in 2015 as a nonprofit backed by Elon Musk and other tech leaders, but a decade later it operates as a massive for‑profit entity valued at about $500 billion, serving 800 million weekly ChatGPT users and planning a $1.4 trillion infrastructure spend. Musk, now heading rival xAI, sued OpenAI over its shift away from the original humanitarian mission. Competitors such as Anthropic, Google’s Gemini and Nvidia fuel a capital‑intensive AI boom. CEO Sam Altman forecasts $20 billion in revenue this year, has declared a “code red” to accelerate ChatGPT‑5.2, and secured a $1 billion content deal with Disney.

Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, is nearing a $15 billion funding round at a $230 billion pre-money valuation. This follows earlier reports of a $15 billion raise that Musk initially denied. A large portion of the funds will be used to acquire GPUs for training large language models. The deal highlights the strong investor interest in AI, mirroring substantial funding rounds and valuations for companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. xAI’s Grok chatbot and Grokipedia have also drawn attention, alongside xAI’s merger with X.

Nvidia and xAI announced a partnership to build a massive data center in Saudi Arabia, powered by hundreds of thousands of Nvidia GPUs. This project, backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund through Humain, aims to establish a leading AI infrastructure hub and signifies a deepening technological collaboration. AMD and Qualcomm will also contribute chips. This aligns with Nvidia’s “sovereign AI” vision, where nations develop dedicated AI infrastructure for security and cultural identity.

xAI, Elon Musk’s AI venture, is reportedly securing $15 billion in funding, pointing to strong investor interest despite Musk’s initial denial. This follows a previous $10 billion round valuing xAI at $200 billion, with funds mainly intended for GPUs. AI startup valuations are soaring, but xAI faces scrutiny regarding the environmental impact of its data centers and inaccurate information generated by Grok and Grokipedia. xAI acquired X for $33 billion, and Tesla integrates Grok while xAI invests in Tesla’s battery storage, indicating a complex ecosystem.

Tesla shareholders approved Elon Musk’s compensation package, potentially worth nearly $1 trillion, awarding stock options tied to ambitious performance goals, including market capitalization and profitability targets. The vote also addressed Tesla’s potential investment in xAI, but next steps are under deliberation. Despite opposition from advisory firms, the board actively campaigned for approval, emphasizing Musk’s crucial role. The plan lacks restrictions on Musk’s political activities or time commitment to Tesla, despite ongoing debate regarding his controversial statements on sales. A Delaware court ruling on a previous pay package adds further complexity.

xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, has launched Grokipedia, an AI-driven encyclopedia challenging Wikipedia. Powered by the Grok AI model, it aims to be a less biased resource. The initial launch faced technical difficulties but is now accessible with over 885,000 articles. Unlike Wikipedia’s volunteer-based content creation, Grokipedia’s content is AI-generated, raising questions about accuracy and sourcing. While Musk touts Grokipedia as an “anti-woke” alternative, its reliance on Wikipedia as a source has been noted. Wikipedia’s co-founders have expressed skepticism and criticism, highlighting the challenges of AI-generated knowledge.

Reports suggest xAI, Elon Musk’s AI startup, is in talks to raise $10 billion, potentially valuing the company at $200 billion, amidst a competitive AI landscape with soaring valuations for OpenAI and Anthropic. However, Musk has denied these reports as “fake news,” disputing the immediate capital raise. xAI’s Grok chatbot has faced controversy, trailing behind competitors in capabilities. xAI merged with X in an all-stock transaction and is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, including acquiring 1 million AI chips and building a large AI computer cluster in Memphis. Musk opposes a merger between xAI and Tesla.

Elon Musk’s X and xAI have sued Apple and OpenAI, alleging an AI monopoly stemming from their exclusive ChatGPT integration into iPhones. The lawsuit claims this partnership locks out competitors like xAI’s Grok, hindering innovation and consumer choice by granting OpenAI unmatched data access and reinforcing its market dominance. They argue Apple uses the deal to counter the threat of “super apps” and unfairly disadvantages competing AI apps in the App Store, harming consumers. X and xAI seek to dismantle the alleged arrangement and recover billions in damages.

Elon Musk’s xAI filed a trademark application for “Macrohard,” sparking speculation of a rivalry with Microsoft. This follows Musk’s July announcement of a multi-agent AI software company powered by Grok, designed to tackle “macro” and “hard” problems. The name “Macrohard,” seemingly a jab at Microsoft, adds fuel to the existing tension between Musk and Bill Gates, marked by public disagreements on Tesla stock and other criticisms. The trademark suggests Musk is seriously pursuing this venture.