July 7, 2025 • 10 mins
In this episode, Bob begins with a welcome and introduction before delving into the latest developments involving Tesla's board and Elon Musk's political ambitions, including a clash with Donald Trump. The discussion shifts to xAI's new power plant and Colossus data center, highlighting innovative energy solutions and the company's strategy in the competitive AI race. Bob then covers the recent SpaceX Starlink launch and Falcon 9 landing attempt, analyzing their significance. He also examines Neuralink's advancements, comparing them to competitors and discussing future challenges. The potential impact of brain implants on human capability is explored. The episode concludes with a wrap-up and a call to action.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the Elon Musk Daily Briefing, yourdaily update on the latest from Elon Musk and
(00:05):
his companies.
I’m your host, Bob, and this is a MagicPod,produced by PodcastAI.
Want to create your own MagicPod?
Check the link in the show notes.
Let’s dive in.
First up...
In a bold and unexpected move, Tesla's boardhas seemingly loosened the reins on Elon Musk,
(00:27):
allowing him to venture into unchartedterritories.
Over the weekend, Musk announced the formationof a new political party in the United States,
aptly named the America Party.
This decision has left corporate Americabuzzing with questions about the role of
Tesla's board in overseeing Musk's ventures.
The Tesla board, led by Australian chair RobynDenholm, has been notably silent, even as
(00:51):
Musk's actions seem to diverge from his primaryresponsibilities at Tesla.
Despite his pivotal role as the founder, majorshareholder, and strategic mastermind behind
Tesla, Musk's new political ambitions raiseeyebrows.
Shareholders are undoubtedly on edge,anticipating how these moves might impact
Tesla's performance and stock value whentrading resumes.
(01:15):
Musk's clash with former ally Donald Trump addsanother layer of intrigue to this story.
After criticizing Trump's Big Beautiful Billfor its extravagant spending, Musk now aims to
secure two to three Senate seats to influencelegislation.
This political maneuvering could distract Muskfrom his duties at Tesla, a concern echoed by
(01:36):
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, who believes thatMusk's foray into politics is not what Tesla
investors need during this critical period.
While comparisons are drawn to otherentrepreneurial founders like Wisetech’s
Richard White and Fortescue’s Andrew Forrest,Musk's influence over Tesla remains
unparalleled.
(01:56):
His new political venture might be the mostsignificant challenge yet to Tesla's
governance, as it threatens to divert hisattention from pressing issues like declining
sales volumes and rising competition fromChinese electric vehicle companies.
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company,xAI, is making waves with its latest bold
venture.
(02:17):
They've purchased a power plant overseas andare shipping it to the United States.
This move is to power a colossal new datacenter that will house one million artificial
intelligence graphics processing units.
That's right, one million of them, all underone roof!
This facility will require up to two gigawattsof power, which is enough to power 1.9 million
(02:40):
homes.
Talk about a powerhouse!
Dylan Patel from SemiAnalysis recently sharedon X that xAI had to look overseas for a power
plant because getting a new one in the UnitedStates in time was simply not feasible.
Currently, xAI's main artificial intelligencedata center, Colossus, located in Memphis,
(03:03):
Tennessee, is already a behemoth.
It's home to 200,000 Nvidia Hopper graphicsprocessing units and consumes around 300
megawatts of power.
This powerhouse was built in just 122 days andnow stands as one of the most potent and
power-demanding machines globally.
To meet its energy needs, xAI has installed 35gas turbines at Colossus, which can generate
(03:29):
420 megawatts of power, alongside TeslaMegapack systems.
The next phase for xAI is ambitious, aiming tohouse one million artificial intelligence
graphics processing units, potentiallyconsuming power equivalent to 1.9 million
households.
The scale of this operation is mind-boggling,but Musk seems determined to push the
(03:51):
boundaries of what's possible in the artificialintelligence realm.
According to Tom's Hardware, the power drawfrom these one million Nvidia Blackwell
graphics processing units will be immense,ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 megawatts,
depending on the model and configuration.
But that's not all – additional power is neededfor central processing units, memory, storage,
(04:16):
networking, cooling, and more.
In fact, the overhead could add another 30 to50 percent to the power draw.
This results in a power usage effectivenessfigure that could push the total consumption to
between 1,400 and 1,960 megawatts.
While solar power might seem like a greensolution, it's not viable for such a
(04:39):
continuous, high-demand load due to the immensescale and cost involved.
The practical solution could be importingnatural gas combined-cycle gas turbine plants,
which are more feasible to deploy and integrateinto existing grids.
Nuclear power, while clean, requires too muchtime to develop.
(04:59):
So, xAI is likely looking at a combination ofonsite power production and grid purchases to
meet their needs.
Elon Musk's xAI is not just about building moredata centers; it's about staying ahead in the
artificial intelligence race.
With a strategy focused on concentratingmassive computing clusters and hiring top-tier
(05:20):
researchers, xAI is setting the stage fortraining even larger artificial intelligence
models.
However, the success of this venture hinges onsecuring vast energy supplies swiftly.
It's a race against time, but if anyone canpull it off, it's Elon Musk.
SpaceX is gearing up for an exciting launch asFalcon 9 prepares to send the Starlink Group
(05:42):
10-28 small satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Scheduled for Monday, July 7, the launch willtake place from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape
Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The launch window opens at 10:48 PM and extendsto 2:48 AM Pacific Daylight Time, giving SpaceX
a generous timeframe to get these satellitesinto space.
(06:06):
Weather officials have issued a promisingforecast, with a ninety percent chance of
favorable conditions for the launch.
However, they're keeping a close eye on theCumulus Cloud Rule, which could pose a
potential challenge.
The forecast calls for a warm evening, withtemperatures around seventy-nine degrees
Fahrenheit, light rain, full cloud cover, andwind speeds of twelve miles per hour.
(06:29):
Rainfall is expected to be minimal, only about0.31 inches.
As always, the Falcon 9 first stage willattempt its signature landing on the autonomous
spaceport drone ship, A Shortfall of Gravitas,positioned in the Atlantic Ocean.
This landing maneuver, following stageseparation, is part of SpaceX's ongoing efforts
(06:53):
to reuse rocket components, significantlyreducing costs and turnaround times for
launches.
This launch is another step forward forSpaceX's ambitious Starlink project, which aims
to create a constellation of satellites toprovide high-speed internet across the globe,
especially in underserved areas.
With each successful launch, SpaceX brings uscloser to a future where internet access is
(07:18):
ubiquitous, even in the most remote corners ofthe Earth.
Let's shift our focus to Elon Musk's Neuralink,where brain chips are getting smarter and more
impactful than ever.
After decades of research, brain implants areevolving from experimental curiosities to
life-changing tools.
This transformation is most visible in theexperiences of Noland Arbaugh, the first
(07:42):
patient to receive a Neuralink implant.
Once paralyzed from the shoulders down due to adiving accident, Noland initially used his
brain implant for gaming.
However, he's now using it to regain hisindependence, handling tasks like emails,
website editing, and even banking, all throughdigital means.
"I'm constantly finding ways to improve my lifeand provide for myself financially," he
(08:06):
recently shared with PCMag.
Neuralink isn't the only player in thebrain-computer interface game, though.
Competitors like Paradromics are making stridestoo, having just completed their first human
implant.
Their brain chip boasts 1,600 electrodes,surpassing Neuralink's 1,024.
(08:27):
Meanwhile, Precision Neuroscience and Synchronare exploring less invasive approaches, with
Synchron even avoiding skull penetrationentirely by threading electrodes through blood
vessels.
Backed by tech giants Jeff Bezos and BillGates, Synchron's device is set to be the first
brain-computer interface with Bluetoothconnectivity to Apple devices.
(08:49):
The advancements don't stop there.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a systemthat translates thoughts directly into speech
with a mere 10-millisecond delay.
And over at Carnegie Mellon, scientists haveachieved real-time control of robotic fingers
using non-invasive technology, suggesting thatfuture brain interfaces could be surgery-free
(09:10):
for specific applications.
Despite the progress, significant challengesremain before brain-computer interfaces become
mainstream.
The UC Davis speech system, while promising,still has a 43.75% word error rate in open
transcription tests.
Additionally, cybersecurity and privacy issuesneed addressing to protect the sensitive neural
(09:34):
data these devices handle.
Nevertheless, industry leaders are optimisticabout moving from clinical trials to commercial
products within two to three years, initiallytargeting individuals with severe mobility
impairments.
The potential impact of this technology extendsfar beyond that group, posing questions about
(09:54):
cognitive enhancement and human capability.
Noland Arbaugh and others testing these devicestoday are pioneers in what could be a
significant transformation of human capability.
Brain implants are on the brink of challengingfundamental assumptions about what it means to
be human, much like gene editing technologyCRISPR did.
(10:15):
While the technology may start modestly, itspromise to restore independence for those
who've lost physical control is profound.
Alright that's a wrap for this episode.
If you enjoyed this brief, and would like tostay updated on latest episodes, don’t forget
to click ‘Follow’ in your podcast app.
Thanks again for listening, and hope to catchyou next time.
Welcome to the Elon Musk Daily Briefing, yourdaily update on the latest from Elon Musk and
(00:05):
his companies.
I’m your host, Bob, and this is a MagicPod,produced by PodcastAI.
Want to create your own MagicPod?
Check the link in the show notes.
Let’s dive in.
First up...
In a bold and unexpected move, Tesla's boardhas seemingly loosened the reins on Elon Musk,
(00:27):
allowing him to venture into unchartedterritories.
Over the weekend, Musk announced the formationof a new political party in the United States,
aptly named the America Party.
This decision has left corporate Americabuzzing with questions about the role of
Tesla's board in overseeing Musk's ventures.
The Tesla board, led by Australian chair RobynDenholm, has been notably silent, even as
(00:51):
Musk's actions seem to diverge from his primaryresponsibilities at Tesla.
Despite his pivotal role as the founder, majorshareholder, and strategic mastermind behind
Tesla, Musk's new political ambitions raiseeyebrows.
Shareholders are undoubtedly on edge,anticipating how these moves might impact
Tesla's performance and stock value whentrading resumes.
(01:15):
Musk's clash with former ally Donald Trump addsanother layer of intrigue to this story.
After criticizing Trump's Big Beautiful Billfor its extravagant spending, Musk now aims to
secure two to three Senate seats to influencelegislation.
This political maneuvering could distract Muskfrom his duties at Tesla, a concern echoed by
(01:36):
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, who believes thatMusk's foray into politics is not what Tesla
investors need during this critical period.
While comparisons are drawn to otherentrepreneurial founders like Wisetech’s
Richard White and Fortescue’s Andrew Forrest,Musk's influence over Tesla remains
unparalleled.
(01:56):
His new political venture might be the mostsignificant challenge yet to Tesla's
governance, as it threatens to divert hisattention from pressing issues like declining
sales volumes and rising competition fromChinese electric vehicle companies.
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company,xAI, is making waves with its latest bold
venture.
(02:17):
They've purchased a power plant overseas andare shipping it to the United States.
This move is to power a colossal new datacenter that will house one million artificial
intelligence graphics processing units.
That's right, one million of them, all underone roof!
This facility will require up to two gigawattsof power, which is enough to power 1.9 million
(02:40):
homes.
Talk about a powerhouse!
Dylan Patel from SemiAnalysis recently sharedon X that xAI had to look overseas for a power
plant because getting a new one in the UnitedStates in time was simply not feasible.
Currently, xAI's main artificial intelligencedata center, Colossus, located in Memphis,
(03:03):
Tennessee, is already a behemoth.
It's home to 200,000 Nvidia Hopper graphicsprocessing units and consumes around 300
megawatts of power.
This powerhouse was built in just 122 days andnow stands as one of the most potent and
power-demanding machines globally.
To meet its energy needs, xAI has installed 35gas turbines at Colossus, which can generate
(03:29):
420 megawatts of power, alongside TeslaMegapack systems.
The next phase for xAI is ambitious, aiming tohouse one million artificial intelligence
graphics processing units, potentiallyconsuming power equivalent to 1.9 million
households.
The scale of this operation is mind-boggling,but Musk seems determined to push the
(03:51):
boundaries of what's possible in the artificialintelligence realm.
According to Tom's Hardware, the power drawfrom these one million Nvidia Blackwell
graphics processing units will be immense,ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 megawatts,
depending on the model and configuration.
But that's not all – additional power is neededfor central processing units, memory, storage,
(04:16):
networking, cooling, and more.
In fact, the overhead could add another 30 to50 percent to the power draw.
This results in a power usage effectivenessfigure that could push the total consumption to
between 1,400 and 1,960 megawatts.
While solar power might seem like a greensolution, it's not viable for such a
(04:39):
continuous, high-demand load due to the immensescale and cost involved.
The practical solution could be importingnatural gas combined-cycle gas turbine plants,
which are more feasible to deploy and integrateinto existing grids.
Nuclear power, while clean, requires too muchtime to develop.
(04:59):
So, xAI is likely looking at a combination ofonsite power production and grid purchases to
meet their needs.
Elon Musk's xAI is not just about building moredata centers; it's about staying ahead in the
artificial intelligence race.
With a strategy focused on concentratingmassive computing clusters and hiring top-tier
(05:20):
researchers, xAI is setting the stage fortraining even larger artificial intelligence
models.
However, the success of this venture hinges onsecuring vast energy supplies swiftly.
It's a race against time, but if anyone canpull it off, it's Elon Musk.
SpaceX is gearing up for an exciting launch asFalcon 9 prepares to send the Starlink Group
(05:42):
10-28 small satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Scheduled for Monday, July 7, the launch willtake place from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape
Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The launch window opens at 10:48 PM and extendsto 2:48 AM Pacific Daylight Time, giving SpaceX
a generous timeframe to get these satellitesinto space.
(06:06):
Weather officials have issued a promisingforecast, with a ninety percent chance of
favorable conditions for the launch.
However, they're keeping a close eye on theCumulus Cloud Rule, which could pose a
potential challenge.
The forecast calls for a warm evening, withtemperatures around seventy-nine degrees
Fahrenheit, light rain, full cloud cover, andwind speeds of twelve miles per hour.
(06:29):
Rainfall is expected to be minimal, only about0.31 inches.
As always, the Falcon 9 first stage willattempt its signature landing on the autonomous
spaceport drone ship, A Shortfall of Gravitas,positioned in the Atlantic Ocean.
This landing maneuver, following stageseparation, is part of SpaceX's ongoing efforts
(06:53):
to reuse rocket components, significantlyreducing costs and turnaround times for
launches.
This launch is another step forward forSpaceX's ambitious Starlink project, which aims
to create a constellation of satellites toprovide high-speed internet across the globe,
especially in underserved areas.
With each successful launch, SpaceX brings uscloser to a future where internet access is
(07:18):
ubiquitous, even in the most remote corners ofthe Earth.
Let's shift our focus to Elon Musk's Neuralink,where brain chips are getting smarter and more
impactful than ever.
After decades of research, brain implants areevolving from experimental curiosities to
life-changing tools.
This transformation is most visible in theexperiences of Noland Arbaugh, the first
(07:42):
patient to receive a Neuralink implant.
Once paralyzed from the shoulders down due to adiving accident, Noland initially used his
brain implant for gaming.
However, he's now using it to regain hisindependence, handling tasks like emails,
website editing, and even banking, all throughdigital means.
"I'm constantly finding ways to improve my lifeand provide for myself financially," he
(08:06):
recently shared with PCMag.
Neuralink isn't the only player in thebrain-computer interface game, though.
Competitors like Paradromics are making stridestoo, having just completed their first human
implant.
Their brain chip boasts 1,600 electrodes,surpassing Neuralink's 1,024.
(08:27):
Meanwhile, Precision Neuroscience and Synchronare exploring less invasive approaches, with
Synchron even avoiding skull penetrationentirely by threading electrodes through blood
vessels.
Backed by tech giants Jeff Bezos and BillGates, Synchron's device is set to be the first
brain-computer interface with Bluetoothconnectivity to Apple devices.
(08:49):
The advancements don't stop there.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a systemthat translates thoughts directly into speech
with a mere 10-millisecond delay.
And over at Carnegie Mellon, scientists haveachieved real-time control of robotic fingers
using non-invasive technology, suggesting thatfuture brain interfaces could be surgery-free
(09:10):
for specific applications.
Despite the progress, significant challengesremain before brain-computer interfaces become
mainstream.
The UC Davis speech system, while promising,still has a 43.75% word error rate in open
transcription tests.
Additionally, cybersecurity and privacy issuesneed addressing to protect the sensitive neural
(09:34):
data these devices handle.
Nevertheless, industry leaders are optimisticabout moving from clinical trials to commercial
products within two to three years, initiallytargeting individuals with severe mobility
impairments.
The potential impact of this technology extendsfar beyond that group, posing questions about
(09:54):
cognitive enhancement and human capability.
Noland Arbaugh and others testing these devicestoday are pioneers in what could be a
significant transformation of human capability.
Brain implants are on the brink of challengingfundamental assumptions about what it means to
be human, much like gene editing technologyCRISPR did.
(10:15):
While the technology may start modestly, itspromise to restore independence for those
who've lost physical control is profound.
Alright that's a wrap for this episode.
If you enjoyed this brief, and would like tostay updated on latest episodes, don’t forget
to click ‘Follow’ in your podcast app.
Thanks again for listening, and hope to catchyou next time.
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