Elon Musk’s SpaceX and its subsidiary xAI are reportedly taking part in a confidential Pentagon competition to develop voice-controlled autonomous drone swarming technology.
Neither SpaceX, xAI, nor the Pentagon immediately responded to requests for comment, and Reuters said it could not independently confirm the report.
SpaceX recently acquired xAI in a move that combined Musk’s major space and defense contractor with his artificial intelligence startup, ahead of a planned initial public offering expected later this year. According to the report, Musk’s companies are among a small group selected to participate in the $100 million challenge launched in January.
The six-month competition aims to develop advanced drone swarm technology capable of converting voice commands into digital instructions and controlling multiple drones at the same time. The project is part of broader efforts to advance autonomous military systems.
In 2015, Musk was among AI and robotics researchers who signed an open letter calling for a global ban on offensive autonomous weapons, warning against creating new technologies designed specifically for lethal purposes.
Last year, the US Defence Secretary also introduced a strategy to speed up drone development and deployment by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and increasing domestic manufacturing. The United States has also been looking for safer and more affordable ways to counter drones, particularly around airports and large public events, including preparations for the FIFA World Cup.
Separately, OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and xAI were awarded Pentagon contracts last year worth up to $200 million each, aimed at expanding the use of advanced artificial intelligence technologies within the US defense system.
