Tag Archives: Elon Musk

Musk unveils X Chat, a messenger with encryption ‘similar to Bitcoin’

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Tech entrepreneur and billionaire Elon Musk is set to launch a standalone messaging app called **“X Chat”** to compete with popular platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. The rollout is expected within the next few months.

During an appearance on *The Joe Rogan Experience* podcast, which aired on Friday, Musk revealed, “On X, we just rebuilt the entire messaging stack into what’s called ‘X Chat.’ It’s using a peer-to-peer-based encryption system, kind of similar to Bitcoin. It’s very good encryption; we’re testing it thoroughly.”

Musk hopes the new messaging app will be released in a “few months.” He emphasized that X Chat won’t have any “hooks for advertising,” unlike competitors such as WhatsApp. “WhatsApp knows enough about what you’re texting to know what ads to show you,” he explained. “But then, that’s a massive security vulnerability because if it knows enough information to show you ads, that’s a lot of information.” Musk added that these same “hooks” could potentially be exploited by hackers to read private messages.

### Does WhatsApp Read Your Messages?

WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, claims it does **not** have access to private messages. According to their FAQ, messages between users are end-to-end encrypted using the Signal Protocol. This encryption extends to voice messages, media, and documents.

However, certain “metadata” — such as who you chat with and how frequently — is not encrypted. Additionally, WhatsApp does **not** automatically encrypt backup copies of chat history.

When asked, “Does WhatsApp collect or sell your data?”, WhatsApp’s FAQ provides a careful response:
“We work with other Meta Companies to help provide, improve, and support each other’s services. If you choose to integrate your WhatsApp experience with other Meta products, we will share some information with Meta to make this possible.”

### X Chat Promises Enhanced Privacy Without Advertising Hooks

Elon Musk assures that X Chat will not include these advertising “hooks.” “I’m not saying it’s perfect, but our goal with X Chat is to replace what used to be the Twitter DM stack with a fully encrypted system where you can text, send files, do audio and video calls,” he said. “I think it will be the least insecure of any messaging system.”

X Chat will be available both as part of the X platform and as its own standalone app, offering users a privacy-focused alternative in the crowded messaging app market.
https://cointelegraph.com/news/elon-musk-launch-whatsapp-competitor-with-p2p-encryption-similar-bitcoin?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Tesla Is Still Fighting For Elon Musk’s $56 Billion Payday

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Happy Thursday! It’s October 13, 2025, and welcome to *The Morning Shift*, your daily roundup of the top automotive headlines from around the world—all in one place. Here, you’ll find the most important stories shaping the way Americans drive and get around.

In this morning’s edition, we’re looking at Tesla’s ongoing efforts to pay Elon Musk a massive compensation package, Canada’s displeasure with Stellantis over plans to move Jeep production to the United States, threats to federal funding for General Motors and Stellantis, and yet another Ford recall.

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### Tesla’s $56 Billion Pay Package Battle Continues

Remember when Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay package was approved, then rescinded, then reinstated, and then rescinded again? Well, Tesla isn’t ready to give up just yet.

According to Reuters, a Tesla attorney argued before the Delaware Supreme Court on Wednesday that Musk’s pay package should have been restored by a shareholder vote last year. This legal battle is entering its final stage after a lower court judge invalidated the CEO’s record-breaking compensation in January 2024.

Tesla is also appealing the court’s rejection of the shareholder vote to reinstate Musk’s pay. This case highlights a familiar dynamic in corporate America: while companies try to pay workers as little as possible, executives often secure enormous compensation packages justified by the need to attract “top talent.”

Of course, executives themselves often set their own pay rates—and that talent attraction rarely trickles down to other roles.

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### Canada Threatens Legal Action Over Stellantis Jeep Production Shift

Stellantis manufactures many vehicles in Canada, but after tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, the company has started considering shifting some production to the U.S. Unsurprisingly, Canada isn’t happy.

*Automotive News* reports that Canada has threatened legal action following Stellantis’ announcement to move Jeep Compass SUV manufacturing from Brampton, Ontario, to Belvidere, Illinois.

Canada’s Industry Minister Melanie Joly labeled the move “unacceptable,” pointing out that Stellantis had previously received federal and provincial support based on an agreement to maintain its full Canadian footprint, including the Brampton plant.

Joly demanded Stellantis quickly identify new production mandates for the Brampton facility to keep it central to the company’s manufacturing footprint and ensure contracts with Canadian suppliers are honored.

While Canada may care less about the Compass specifically, the government is adamant that the Brampton factory continues operating. If it switches to making something else, that’s fine, but it has to stay active.

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### Federal Funding at Risk for GM and Stellantis Amid Political Shifts

Since the Trump administration prioritized rolling back climate-focused programs, the future of federal funding for progressive initiatives has become uncertain. These programs, often dismissed as “leftist” or “socialist,” include projects supporting electric vehicles and green technology.

*Automotive News* shares that the Department of Energy recently terminated funding for 233 projects described as part of “the Left’s climate agenda.” Included in a leak published by news outlet Semafor on October 7 are several awards tied to automotive giants: five for General Motors, two for Stellantis, plus others involving Bosch and Plug Power.

While the list has not been officially confirmed, Semafor has a reliable track record.

If GM and Stellantis begin losing federal funding—especially given that the U.S. has pushed them to conduct business domestically, sometimes at the expense of international advantages—their financial outlook and strategic calculations could change drastically.

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Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day!
https://www.jalopnik.com/1998560/tesla-still-fighting-for-elon-musk-56-billion-dollar-package/

OpenAI Now Worth $500 Billion

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OpenAI Could Now Be the World’s Most Valuable Startup, Surpassing SpaceX and ByteDance

OpenAI has potentially become the world’s most valuable startup, outpacing Elon Musk’s SpaceX and TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, following a secondary stock sale aimed at retaining employees at the ChatGPT maker.

Current and former OpenAI employees sold $6.6 billion in shares to a group of investors, pushing the privately held artificial intelligence company’s valuation to $500 billion, according to a source familiar with the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly.

### Investors and Valuation

The investors purchasing the shares included Thrive Capital, Dragoneer Investment Group, T. Rowe Price, Japanese tech giant SoftBank, and the United Arab Emirates’ MGX, the source revealed on Thursday. This valuation reflects high expectations for the future of AI technology and continues OpenAI’s remarkable trajectory from its beginnings as a nonprofit research lab in 2015.

### Profitability and Market Concerns

However, with the San Francisco-based company not yet turning a profit, concerns about an AI bubble may intensify. Skeptics worry that if the generative AI products from OpenAI and its competitors fail to meet investor expectations, the billions poured into research and development could be at risk.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has recently sought to ease such concerns. During a tour last week of a massive data center complex being built in Abilene, Texas, to run the company’s AI systems, Altman said:

> “Between the ten years we’ve already been operating and the many decades ahead of us, there will be booms and busts. People will overinvest and lose money, and underinvest and lose a lot of revenue.”

He added, “We’ll make some dumb capital allocations and see short-term ups and downs, but over the arc that we have to plan over, we are confident that this technology will drive a new wave of unprecedented economic growth, along with scientific breakthroughs, improvements to quality of life, and new ways to express creativity.”

### New Business Ventures

Just this week, OpenAI launched two new business ventures: a partnership with Etsy and Shopify to enable online shopping through ChatGPT and a social media app called Sora for generating and sharing AI videos.

### Competition and Compensation Challenges

The stock sale marks a first for OpenAI, which has struggled to offer investors and staff the same perks and compensation as other companies. In particular, Facebook parent Meta Platforms has been aggressively hiring top AI engineers and, in June, made a $14.3 billion investment in AI company Scale, which recruited its CEO Alexandr Wang.

### Corporate Structure and Regulatory Scrutiny

OpenAI’s for-profit subsidiary, currently valued at $500 billion, is technically controlled by the board of OpenAI’s nonprofit, with both entities still bound to pursue the nonprofit’s charitable purpose.

The company’s partnerships with major corporations and plans to alter its corporate structure have attracted scrutiny from regulators, including the attorneys general of California and Delaware, who oversee charities operating or incorporated in their states.

### Recent Partnerships and Strategic Moves

In recent weeks, OpenAI has made significant deals with Oracle and SoftBank for a data center venture called Stargate, as well as with chipmaker Nvidia, which supplies the specialized AI chips necessary for these data centers.

At the same time, OpenAI has reduced its reliance on longtime backer Microsoft. In September, the company announced it had reached a tentative agreement with Microsoft regarding the future stake of its nonprofit in its for-profit corporation, though few details were shared.

### Grants to Support AI Understanding and Economic Opportunity

OpenAI also opened applications for nonprofits to apply for $50 million in funding, an initiative launched following recommendations from an advisory board. The grants aim to support projects that increase public understanding of AI, promote the design of AI based on community needs, and boost economic opportunity.

The deadline to apply for these grants closes on October 8.

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OpenAI’s rapid growth and ambitious plans highlight the company’s potential to reshape the AI industry and broader economy, even as questions about profitability and market sustainability remain.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/technology/openai-now-worth-500-billion-possibly-making-it-the-worlds-most-valuable-startup-1907655

Elon Musk Becomes World’s First Person To Hit $500 Billion Net Worth: Forbes List

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While Tesla’s shares stumbled earlier this year, they are currently on a steady climb. This positive shift has been linked to Elon Musk’s renewed focus on his companies.

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, has become the first person to reach a net worth of nearly USD 500 billion. This milestone is credited to a strong rebound in Tesla’s stock and soaring valuations of his other ventures. According to the Forbes Billionaire Index, Musk’s total wealth touched USD 500.1 billion as of 4:15 PM ET on Wednesday, making him the richest individual in the world, far ahead of other business leaders.

Musk’s fortune remains closely tied to Tesla, where he owns a stake of more than 12.4 percent as of mid-September. Despite facing challenges in sales, the electric carmaker’s shares have gained more than 14 percent this year. On Wednesday alone, Tesla stock closed 3.3 percent higher, adding more than USD 6 billion to Musk’s wealth.

Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm recently noted that Musk is now “back front and center” at the company after months of distraction related to his activities at the White House. Supporting this renewed focus, Musk purchased nearly USD 1 billion worth of Tesla shares last month.

Tesla is currently racing to transform itself from a traditional carmaker into a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics. However, the company still faces pressure from weak car sales and shrinking profit margins, which have placed its stock among the laggards of the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants.

In response, Tesla’s board has proposed a USD 1 trillion pay package for Musk. This package ties his rewards to ambitious financial and operational goals, while also granting him the larger stake he has been seeking.

Musk’s growing empire outside Tesla has also fueled his wealth. His artificial intelligence venture, xAI, was valued at USD 75 billion in July, with reports suggesting it could aim for a USD 200 billion valuation in the near future. Musk, however, has denied plans to raise fresh funds for xAI.

Meanwhile, SpaceX, Musk’s rocket company, continues its expansion. Bloomberg News reported in July that SpaceX was considering a funding round that would value the firm at around USD 400 billion.

With Musk’s diversified portfolio and Tesla’s resurgence, his position as the world’s richest individual looks firmly secured for the foreseeable future.
https://www.news18.com/world/elon-musk-becomes-worlds-1st-person-to-hit-500-bn-net-worth-shows-forbes-list-9609384.html

H-1B visa fee hike: Beneficiaries like Musk, Nadella, Pichai silent

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**H-1B Visa Fee Hike: Beneficiaries Like Musk, Nadella, Pichai Remain Silent**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 21, 2025, 06:25 PM*

Silicon Valley’s tech giants, including Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, and Satya Nadella, have remained notably silent following the Trump administration’s recent announcement of a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions. This silence is particularly surprising given Elon Musk’s previously strong opposition to changes in the H-1B visa system.

**Elon Musk’s Previous Stance on H-1B Visa Changes**

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has been vocal about his concerns regarding modifications to the H-1B visa program. In December, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting that many critical employees who helped build SpaceX, Tesla, and other successful tech companies are here on H-1B visas. He even went so far as to threaten to “go to war” over changes affecting this visa category.

**Details of the New H-1B Visa Fee**

The newly signed rules by President Trump introduce a hefty $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions. According to the administration, this measure is intended to ensure that only “extraordinarily skilled” individuals are permitted to enter the United States, preventing companies from replacing American workers with foreign professionals. The policy is expected to heavily impact Indian tech workers, who comprise approximately 71% of all H-1B visa holders.

**Clarifications on the Fee**

The administration has clarified that the new rule applies solely to new visa petitions and does not affect existing H-1B visa holders who are re-entering the U.S. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt explained on X that the $100,000 charge “is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition.” Here, a petition refers to a company’s formal request to bring a skilled worker from another country into the United States.

As this major policy change unfolds, the silence from leading tech beneficiaries raises questions about the future landscape of skilled immigration in the U.S. and its impact on the technology sector.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/h-1b-visa-s-100-000-fee-what-are-silicon-valley-ceos-saying/story

Grok 4 Fast arrives as cheaper alternative to xAI’s Grok-4

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**Next Article: Grok 4 Fast Arrives as Cheaper Alternative to xAI’s Grok-4**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 20, 2025, 06:46 PM*

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Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence (AI) company, xAI, has unveiled a new model called **Grok 4 Fast**, offering a more affordable alternative to the existing Grok 4. Designed for both enterprise and consumer use cases, this innovative system stands out by combining reasoning and non-reasoning tasks within a single framework, delivering high efficiency and versatility.

### Cost Efficiency

Grok 4 Fast provides a significantly better cost-to-performance ratio compared to its predecessor. It uses approximately **40% fewer “thinking tokens”** than Grok 4 while maintaining similar accuracy across multiple benchmarks. An independent review by Artificial Analysis highlighted that Grok 4 Fast achieves comparable results to Grok 4 at up to **98% less cost**, making it a highly economical option for users.

### Benchmark Performance

The model has demonstrated impressive performance on a range of industry-standard benchmarks:

– **85.7%** on GPQA Diamond
– **92%** on AIME 2025
– **93.3%** on HMMT 2025

These scores are close to those of Grok 4. Additionally, Grok 4 Fast showed improvements in code execution and search-based tasks, achieving a **95% pass rate on SimpleQA** and around **74% on X Bench Deepsearch**.

### Key Features

– **Massive Context Window:** Grok 4 Fast supports a two million token context window, enabling it to process very large inputs efficiently.
– **Reinforcement Learning:** The model was trained using reinforcement learning techniques to boost efficiency.
– **Unified Framework:** Unlike previous versions that required separate reasoning and non-reasoning models, Grok 4 Fast integrates both into a single system. This integration reduces latency and lowers operational costs significantly.

### Availability and Pricing

Grok 4 Fast is available in two versions: **grok-4-fast-reasoning** and **grok-4-fast-non-reasoning**, both supporting the extensive two million token limit.

Pricing starts at **$0.20 per million input tokens** for smaller workloads, with rates increasing based on token usage. This pricing structure makes Grok 4 Fast an ideal choice for large projects or anyone seeking a fast, affordable AI solution without sacrificing accuracy.

Users can access Grok 4 Fast through xAI’s website, mobile applications, OpenRouter, and the Vercel AI Gateway. Some platforms offer free access during the launch period.

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With its blend of cost-efficiency, robust performance, and large context capacity, Grok 4 Fast positions itself as a compelling option in the evolving AI landscape.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/elon-musk-s-xai-launches-grok-4-fast-check-features-pricing/story