7 interesting facts about xAI that you might be hearing for the first time

From electric vehicles (EVs) with Tesla to private space exploration with SpaceX, Elon Musk’s ventures have reshaped multiple industries.

In July 2023, the tech billionaire added another bold chapter to his career by launching xAI, a company with a mission to develop artificial intelligence (AI) that enhances our understanding of the universe while keeping human safety and ethics at its core.

In just over a year, xAI has evolved from a bold idea into a heavyweight contender in the AI race.

Here are seven fascinating facts about xAI that you might be hearing for the first time.

xAI’s founding team included 12 top specialists

xAI was officially launched on July 12, 2023, following Musk's registration of “x.AI” in April of the same year.

The founding team included 12 top specialists, many of whom had previously worked on advanced AI projects at OpenAI and Google DeepMind.

Unlike other AI labs focused solely on performance, xAI’s stated goal is to create AI systems that help humanity answer the deepest scientific and philosophical questions.

Deep focus on ethics and safety

One of xAI’s most defining features is its integration of safety and ethics into the foundation of its technology.

The company works closely with figures like Dan Hendrycks of the Center for AI Safety, ensuring that AI models are aligned with human values.

Musk has long warned about the potential dangers of uncontrolled AI, and xAI represents his attempt to steer the technology toward being beneficial rather than harmful.

xAI’s merger with X boosted valuation to $80b

In a headline-making move, xAI recently acquired the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in an all-stock deal valued at $33 billion.

This merger catapulted xAI’s valuation to around $80 billion, giving it both advanced AI capabilities and access to X’s 600 million+ active users.

Grok AI: The cutting-edge AI chatbot

xAI’s flagship product so far is Grok, an AI chatbot integrated directly into X. Unlike many mainstream AI chatbots, Grok is designed to engage in real-time conversations, offer quick and context-rich responses, and even participate in debates.

Musk markets Grok as an alternative to what he calls “woke AI,” promising a more unfiltered, personality-driven interaction.

xAI’s Colosus Supercomputer was built in 120 days only

To power Grok and other advanced models, xAI constructed Colosus, the world’s largest AI supercomputer, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Originally projected to take two years to build, the project was completed in a staggering 120 days.

This unprecedented speed highlights xAI’s aggressive approach to scaling its AI infrastructure.

Environmental concerns over AI’s energy use

Colosus’s rapid deployment came with criticism. Community residents and environmental activists in Memphis have accused the facility of being one of the county’s largest air polluters since going online.

This controversy has raised questions about the environmental cost of massive AI training centers, an issue Musk will have to navigate as xAI grows.

Strong financial backing from Musk’s network

xAI is not short on funding. It shares major investors with X, including Sequoia Capital and Fidelity Management, and recently secured $2 billion in investment from SpaceX as part of a $5 billion equity round.

This cross-company synergy not only provides xAI with financial stability but also strengthens its competitive position against established AI giants.