SpaceX and xAI Compete to Develop Voice-Controlled Drone Swarming Technology for U.S. Military
Australian Financial Review
READ
Details
- Date Published
- 17 Feb 2026
- Priority Score
- 5
- Australian
- No
- Created
- 17 Feb 2026, 08:00 am
Description
The billionaire’s companies are competing to develop potentially game-changing tech to direct groups of autonomous weapons that hunt down targets.
Summary
Elon Musk's companies, SpaceX and xAI, are involved in a secretive Pentagon competition to create voice-controlled autonomous drone swarming technology. This initiative could significantly alter the landscape of AI-enabled weaponry, raising concerns about the ethical implications of autonomous weapons. While Musk has previously expressed wariness about AI's potentially destructive uses, his involvement suggests an ongoing evolution in frontier AI capabilities. The entry of such high-profile entities highlights both the accelerating pace of AI advancements and the growing discussion around governance and ethical considerations in military AI applications.
Body
WorldNorth AmericaDefencePrint articleKatrina MansonFeb 17, 2026 – 4.33pmWashington | Elon Musk’s SpaceX and wholly owned subsidiary xAI are competing in a secretive new Pentagon contest to produce voice-controlled, autonomous drone swarming technology, according to people familiar with the matter.The entry of the two Musk companies – which he announced in early February would merge – into a new frontier of AI-enabled weapons development marks a new and potentially controversial departure for Musk. While SpaceX is a well-established defence contractor and Musk is enthusiastic about advancing AI, he is among those who have also previously argued against making “new tools for killing people”.Loading...BloombergSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreDefenceSpaceXOpenAIAITrump's White HouseJoe BidenAnthropicGoogleFetching latest articles