News reporting focused on AI and machine learning, covering the companies behind these technologies, their real-world applications, and the ethical concerns they raise. This includes areas like generative AI (large language models, text-to-image and video), speech tech, and predictive analytics.
xAI's Grok 4.3 model is now generally available on Amazon Bedrock, offering configurable reasoning effort, tool calling, and a 1 million token context window. The model runs on the Mantle inference engine and supports OpenAI-compatible APIs for easy integration into agentic workflows.
A WIRED investigation discovered dozens of nonconsensual explicit deepfakes of celebrities and a US politician still hosted on Grok's website, months after xAI promised to add restrictions. The findings come as SpaceX prepares for a major IPO. Experts say Grok's safeguards remain insufficient compared to other AI tools.
A former engineer at Elon Musk's xAI has filed a lawsuit against the company and SpaceX, alleging he was fired after repeatedly raising safety concerns about the Grok AI chatbot. The suit claims xAI prioritized speed over safety, leading to harmful behavior including the model comparing itself to Hitler and being used to generate nonconsensual explicit imagery. It targets xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba as the alleged source of retaliation, while portraying Musk as supportive of safety measures.
Closing arguments wrapped up the Musk v. Altman trial on May 14, 2026, with Musk's lawyer stumbling through his presentation and OpenAI's team presenting clear evidence. The proceedings revealed plenty of trial gossip, from xAI using OpenAI models to personal dramas. The real focus turned to doubts about Musk's AI expertise and xAI's challenges.
Elon Musk's SpaceXAI has seen more than 50 researchers and engineers leave since February, following its merger. Key teams in coding, world models, and Grok voice have lost leaders, with rivals like Meta and Thinking Machine Labs hiring many. Concerns grow over pre-training team cuts and work culture.
Elon Musk's xAI operates 46 natural gas turbines at its Mississippi data center without state regulation due to a loophole classifying them as mobile. The NAACP has sued, claiming the emissions harm local air quality, and seeks a court injunction. Permits cover only 15 turbines amid ongoing expansion.
xAI added 19 natural gas turbines to its Colossus 2 data center in Southaven, Mississippi, over the past two months, bringing the total to 46 amid a lawsuit alleging Clean Air Act violations. Internal emails reveal over 500 megawatts of new capacity installed since mid-March, even after environmental groups filed suit. Regulators note emission controls but are reviewing limits on further additions.
The US Pentagon has signed deals with Microsoft, Reflection AI, Amazon, and Nvidia, allowing their AI products for classified operations. These join OpenAI, xAI, and Google for any lawful use. Meanwhile, tensions with Anthropic over a cancelled $200 million contract may ease as the administration considers reconciliation.
The US Department of Commerce's Center for AI Standards and Innovation has agreements with five major AI labs for pre-release testing of models on national security risks. New pacts with Google DeepMind, Microsoft, and xAI build on deals with Anthropic and OpenAI. CAISI Director Chris Fall stressed the need for rigorous evaluation of frontier AI.
The US Department of Commerce will evaluate upcoming AI models from Google, Microsoft, and xAI for safety and capabilities before public release. The companies agreed to submit their tools voluntarily to the Center for AI Standards and Innovation. This builds on prior pacts with OpenAI and Anthropic from the Biden era, amid a shift in the Trump administration's approach to AI oversight.
xAI has launched Grok 4.3, a model designed for developers that handles tasks such as web searches and code execution at lower prices. It shows gains in some benchmarks but trails leaders from OpenAI and Anthropic. A beta Agent Mode for Grok Imagine supports extended creative projects like movies or manga sets.
xAI released Custom Voices, allowing users to create a voice clone from one minute of speech. The feature includes security checks and integrates with existing APIs. A new Voice Library offers over 80 voices in 28 languages.