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Welcome to The Prompt by Kuro House, your daily dose of AI news and insights. Today, we have some major moves from Elon Musk, new AI controls in Firefox, and a controversial use of AI in government grants. Let’s dive right in.
First up, Elon Musk has officially merged SpaceX with his AI startup xAI, creating the world’s most valuable private company. This was reported by The Verge and TechCrunch, highlighting Musk’s vision to build AI data centers in space. Musk explained that terrestrial data centers consume immense power and cooling, making space-based AI compute a more scalable and eco-friendly solution. The combined company is valued at $1.25 trillion, and SpaceX still plans to go public later this year. This merger aims to accelerate AI development while supporting Musk’s ambitions for space colonization.
Sticking with Elon Musk, Wired also covered this merger, emphasizing how it tightens his control over AI, space, and social media technologies. xAI, which owns the social platform X, is now part of SpaceX’s vast ecosystem, combining rockets, satellites, and AI in one powerful entity. Musk envisions launching a constellation of satellites to provide AI compute power from orbit, making breakthroughs in physics and technology possible at unprecedented speeds. This is not just about AI or space travel—it’s about creating a sentient sun to extend consciousness to the stars, according to Musk’s own words.
On a different note, Mozilla Firefox is adding a new switch to let users turn off AI features in the browser. The Verge reports that this update, arriving February 24th, will allow users to disable all AI-powered features or select which ones to keep. Features like the built-in AI chatbot, translations, and AI tab suggestions can be toggled off, giving users more control over their browsing experience. Mozilla’s CEO Anthony Enzor-DeMeo emphasizes that choice builds trust, responding to users who want to opt out of AI entirely. This move sets Firefox apart from other browsers by prioritizing user autonomy in the AI era.
Meanwhile, a Wired investigation reveals that the US Department of Health and Human Services is using AI tools from Palantir to enforce controversial executive orders. These AI systems are screening grants and job descriptions to exclude anything related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and so-called “gender ideology.” This has led to audits, frozen funding, and policy shifts that deeply impact research and programs nationwide, especially those supporting marginalized groups. The deployment of these AI tools highlights how artificial intelligence is being used in politically charged ways within government agencies. It’s a stark reminder of AI’s power beyond tech—shaping social and cultural policies too.
Back to Elon Musk’s empire, TechCrunch also notes that xAI is burning about a billion dollars monthly, while SpaceX earns most revenue from Starlink satellite launches. The merger brings together two companies with very different near-term goals but complementary long-term visions. SpaceX focuses on proving Starship’s capability for lunar and Martian missions, while xAI competes with AI giants like Google and OpenAI. Musk recently loosened restrictions on xAI’s chatbot Grok, which unfortunately led to misuse involving AI-generated nonconsensual imagery, a serious ethical concern. This merger could amplify both the potential and the risks of Musk’s AI ambitions.
That’s our roundup for today on The Prompt by Kuro House. Elon Musk’s moves are reshaping AI and space industries, while Firefox empowers user choice, and government AI use raises complex ethical questions. As AI continues to evolve, staying informed and critical is more important than ever. Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you tomorrow with more AI updates.
