Elon Musk has established X.AI Corporation, an AI company set to rival OpenAI and Google in next-gen AI development. Incorporated on 9 March, X.AI focuses on creating an all-in-one app called X, linked to Musk’s Twitter and Tesla ventures. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 and left in 2018, has been critical about the company prioritizing profit over AI safety. He has recently procured nearly 10,000 GPUs for Twitter’s AI initiatives and is in talks with SpaceX and Tesla investors for financial backing. This move comes shortly after Musk, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and over 2,600 tech leaders signed an open letter urging a temporary pause on AI development, citing “profound risks to society and humanity.”
X.AI Corporation: An unexpected move
Elon Musk’s decision to establish X.AI Corporation raises eyebrows, as the tech mogul had recently signed an open letter alongside Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and other tech leaders, advocating a six-month pause in AI development. The letter, published on the Musk-funded Future of Life Institute’s website, warned against the potential risks AI systems with human-competitive intelligence could pose to society and humanity. Critics have labeled the letter a “hot mess” of “AI hype” and accused it of misrepresenting an academic paper.
The incorporation of X.AI Corporation took place in Nevada, US, with Musk listed as the company’s sole director. As part of this plan, Twitter’s formal company name was changed to X Corp.
Competing with OpenAI and Google
With X.AI Corporation, Musk aims to challenge the likes of OpenAI and Google in the AI development race. This is particularly interesting, considering Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015, with the mission to develop AI that would benefit humanity without causing harm or being influenced by corporate and political agendas. However, Musk left OpenAI’s board in 2018, citing a potential conflict of interest with Tesla’s AI technology. He has since criticised OpenAI for prioritising profit over AI safety.
Assembling a team of AI researchers and engineers, Musk is reportedly in talks with existing SpaceX and Tesla investors regarding investments in the upcoming AI venture. According to a Financial Times source, “A bunch of people is investing in it…it’s real, and they are excited about it”.
As AI development continues to advance, the formation of X.AI Corporation signals Musk’s intention to remain at the forefront of this ever-evolving field.
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