Elon Musk merges SpaceX with xAI (and X)

Elon Musk has merged SpaceX with xAI, the artificial intelligence company he leads, creating a combined entity valued at $1.25 trillion. This acquisition aims to form a vertically-integrated innovation engine that incorporates artificial intelligence, rocket technology, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile communications, and a platform for real-time information and free speech. Musk described this merger as a significant advancement in their mission to develop a "sentient sun" to better understand the universe and extend consciousness beyond Earth (Electrek). In conjunction with the merger, SpaceX has submitted a request to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for approval to launch a constellation of one million solar-powered satellites. These satellites are intended to function as orbital data centers, enhancing the capabilities of artificial intelligence and supporting SpaceX's broader vision of advancing humanity towards a Kardashev II civilization, which would fully utilize solar energy (TechCrunch, Electrek). This initiative reflects a growing trend in the tech industry towards leveraging space for data processing and connectivity, paralleling the development of the internet in the late 20th century (BBC). The proposed satellite network is expected to reshape how energy from the sun is harnessed and utilized, addressing global challenges such as climate change and energy scarcity. This development is seen as a leap in satellite technology and underscores the importance of renewable energy in future societal development (TechCrunch, Electrek). The merger and the satellite project together signify a shift towards a more interconnected and data-driven future, with implications for communication and information access (Electrek).