The highly anticipated launch of Elon Musk’s latest AI venture, xAI, is now on the horizon. After months of speculation and anticipation, the Tesla CEO and influential figure in social media announced on the platform X that xAI will release its inaugural model today, on November 4th.
Read: Elon Musk explains what the ‘everything app’ plan for X is
This initial phase will be exclusive to a “select group,” though Musk has yet to clarify the criteria used for this selection process. Whether it will be a random release or reserved for specific individuals, such as prominent figures like Tucker Carlson, Chaya Raichik, or the prolific Catturd, remains unknown.
Musk is making ambitious claims about his AI project, boldly stating that, “in some important respects, it is the best that currently exists.” This declaration sets the stage for a head-to-head competition with established offerings from industry giants like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and various others. The definition of “important respects” that make it the best will be closely watched.
The lofty aspirations of xAI from the beginning are quite remarkable, as its primary objective is nothing short of “understanding the true nature of the universe.” This mission stands in stark contrast to the typical AI tasks like seeking hotel recommendations or cooking advice. Given Musk’s recent challenges, including declining Tesla sales and ongoing Twitter controversies, it will be intriguing to see if he can successfully unravel the mysteries of the universe.
The timing of this announcement appears strategic. Elon Musk recently addressed the inaugural UK AI Safety Summit, where both the UK and the US revealed investments in AI safety measures. Furthermore, OpenAI is set to host its first DevDay on November 6, suggesting that Musk might be aiming to pre-emptively gain an edge over the competition. While the two companies are direct rivals, it’s worth noting that Musk was an initial board member at OpenAI alongside Sam Altman in 2015, before a falling out led to his quick divestment from the organization.
