Musk Merges xAI with SpaceX, Creating Trillion-Dollar Private Giant
Elon Musk announced Monday the acquisition of his AI startup, xAI, by his rocket and satellite company, SpaceX, creating a combined entity valued at $1.25 trillion, making it the world's most valuable private company, according to a blog post by Musk. The move comes as the demand for AI computing power strains terrestrial resources, with Musk suggesting space-based data centers as the only viable long-term solution.
Musk stated that "space-based AI is obviously the only way to scale," arguing that the vast power and space available beyond Earth are necessary to support the resource-intensive demands of artificial intelligence. "I mean, space is called space for a reason," he added.
Meanwhile, in other tech news, Waymo announced a $16 billion investment round aimed at expanding its robotaxi business both within the United States and internationally. According to The Verge, the funding round was led by Dragoneer Investment Group, a firm known for investing in late-stage tech companies before they go public. Waymo's co-CEOs stated in a blog post that the funds would be used to acquire more vehicles to grow its fleets.
However, not all technological advancements are being universally embraced. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published new safety rules mandating mechanical releases on car door handles, effectively banning the hidden, electronically actuated door handles popularized by Tesla and other electric vehicle manufacturers. TechCrunch reported that the new regulations, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, require all doors (excluding the tailgate) to have a mechanically released external door handle, as well as a mechanical release on the interior of the vehicle. This decision follows numerous fatal incidents involving occupants trapped in vehicles.
In other news, former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis warned of a potential economic crisis driven by stablecoins and powerful tech platforms. Speaking to Euronews at Web Summit Qatar, Varoufakis argued that capitalism has already ended, replaced by an era of "techno-feudalism" where big tech companies exert unprecedented control over human behavior.
And finally, in Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day, predicting six more weeks of winter. Euronews reported that the annual tradition, dating back to 1887, drew tens of thousands to Gobblers Knob to witness the groundhog's verdict.
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