JE Tech Desk: Billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday announced the formation of the artificial intelligence (AI) startup with the launch of its website xAI, whose goal is to “understand the true nature of the universe.” He also unveiled a team made up of engineers who have worked at companies from Alphabet-owned Google to Microsoft and OpenAI, in his bid to build an alternative to ChatGPT.

The startup will be led by Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of Twitter, who has said on several occasions that the development of AI should be paused and that the sector needs regulation.

"Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality," Musk said in a tweet on Wednesday.

The website said xAI will hold a Twitter Spaces event on July 14. Musk's new company is separate from X Corp, but will work closely with Twitter, Tesla, and other companies, according to the website. xAI said it is recruiting experienced engineers and researchers in the Bay Area.

xAI, a newly established company, has announced that its team will be led by Elon Musk and comprised of executives with extensive experience in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). These executives have previously worked at renowned AI-focused companies such as Google's DeepMind, Microsoft Inc., and Tesla Inc., as well as prestigious academic institutions like the University of Toronto.

In March, Musk, along with Jared Birchall, who manages Musk's family office, incorporated a business named X.AI, as disclosed in a filing with the Nevada Secretary of State. Musk has been vocal in his criticism of OpenAI, a prominent AI startup and the developer behind ChatGPT.

In April, the Financial Times reported that Musk was engaged in discussions with investors of Tesla Inc. and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. regarding potential funding for an AI startup. The report cited undisclosed sources familiar with the matter. The article also mentioned that Musk had obtained thousands of processors from Nvidia Corp. for this new venture.

Despite his involvement in AI-related endeavours, Musk was part of a group of researchers and leaders from the technology industry who called for a temporary halt in the training of powerful AI models earlier this year.

The establishment of xAI under Musk's leadership signifies a significant step in the development of AI technologies. With the collective expertise of the team members and the resources acquired, xAI aims to make significant advancements in the field of artificial intelligence and shape its future trajectory.

(With Agencies Inputs)