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Elon Musk announces SpaceX’s acquisition of AI startup xAI
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-03 09:58
Core Insights - SpaceX has acquired AI startup xAI to integrate its space exploration and AI ventures, marking a significant merger in the technology sector [1] - The merger positions SpaceX against major competitors in the AI industry, including Google, Meta, Anthropic, and OpenAI [1] Valuation and Share Structure - The deal values SpaceX at $1 trillion and xAI at $250 billion, with xAI investors receiving 0.1433 shares of SpaceX for each share they own [2] - Some xAI executives may opt for cash at a rate of $75.46 per share instead of SpaceX stock [2] - The combined company's shares are expected to be priced at approximately $527 each, with SpaceX previously valued at $800 billion [3] Funding and Development Plans - xAI recently secured $20 billion in a Series E funding round, surpassing its initial target of $15 billion, to develop AI models and computing infrastructure [4] - The funding will support the training of the next-generation Grok 5 model and accelerate AI product deployment [4] Strategic Vision - Musk described the merger as creating "the most ambitious, vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth," focusing on AI-driven applications alongside traditional space technologies [5] - The necessity for space-based AI solutions is emphasized due to the high power demands of terrestrial data centers [5] Infrastructure and Capacity Expansion - Musk highlighted the potential of space for consistent solar power, with plans for satellites to act as orbital data centers [6] - Launching multiple satellites is crucial for enhancing Starship's capabilities and achieving frequent launches, potentially adding 100 gigawatts of AI compute capacity annually without ongoing operational costs [6]