SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says AI will soon migrate off Earth as energy and scaling constraints make space the most economical place to run advanced compute.
In a new interview on the Cheeky Pint podcast, Musk says the physics of power generation and scale overwhelmingly favor orbit over terrestrial infrastructure, putting space-based AI far closer than most expect.
Musk says even basic solar efficiency creates an immediate cost advantage once compute leaves the ground.
“It’s harder to scale on the ground than it is to scale in space. Any given solar panel can do about five times more power in space than on the ground. So it’s actually much cheaper to do in space.”
According to Musk, that power differential sets the stage for a rapid economic shift in where AI systems are built and operated.
“My prediction is that it will be by far the cheapest place to put AI will be space in 36 months or less. Maybe 30 months… Less than 36 months. You can mark my words. In 36 months, but probably closer to 30 months, the most economically compelling place to put AI will be space. And then it will get like ridiculously better to be in space.”
At the center of that compounding effect is access to near-continuous solar energy at a scale impossible to replicate on the ground.
“Once you start thinking in terms of what percentage of the sun’s power are you harnessing, you realize you have to go to space. You can’t scale very much on Earth.”
Musk’s comments come as news emerged that SpaceX has acquired Grok maker xAI for $250 billion. In a memo, Musk said that the acquisition is about developing space-based data centers powered by constant solar energy.
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