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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Dan Milmo Global technology editor

Why has Elon Musk merged his rocket company with his AI startup?

The xAI and SpaceX logos on a smartphone screen placed on a reflective surface on to which the xAI logo is projected.
A key part of the SpaceX-xAI deal’s rationale is to move datacentres – the central nervous system of AI tools – into space. Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images

The acquisition of xAI by SpaceX is a typical Elon Musk deal: big numbers backed by big ambition.

As well as extending “the light of consciousness to the stars”, as Musk described it, the transaction creates a business worth $1.25tn (£920bn) by combining Musk’s rocket company with his artificial intelligence startup. It values SpaceX at $1tn and xAI at $250bn, with a stock market flotation expected in June to time with Musk’s birthday and a planetary alignment.

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