Elon Musk’s public criticism of the newly announced AI initiative, Stargate, adds another layer to his complex relationship with AI and government-backed projects. Musk, known for his ventures in AI through companies like Tesla and Neuralink, raised doubts about the feasibility of the project, particularly its lack of funding. His comment on X (formerly Twitter) that “they don’t actually have the money” pointed to a potential gap between the ambitious goals of Stargate and the financial resources necessary to bring them to fruition.
The Stargate initiative aims to invest $500 billion over the next four years to build AI infrastructure in the United States, a hefty investment that Musk seems to believe is unattainable without solid financial backing. His response comes from a position of experience, as Musk was one of the co-founders of OpenAI before his departure and has been deeply involved in the tech industry.
This criticism is significant not only because of Musk’s reputation in the tech space but also due to his close ties with the Trump administration. Musk has been a vocal supporter of the former president, and his comments may be seen as more than just skepticism—reflecting his broader concerns about the direction of AI development and its governance.
The involvement of major tech companies like OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle in Stargate, as well as Musk’s previous role at OpenAI, makes the initiative a focal point for debate within the AI community. Musk’s remarks suggest that he is taking a cautious approach, likely advocating for more transparency and ensuring that the necessary resources are in place before such massive investments are made.
