Last week billionaire Elon Musk got a bit upset when an Australian journalist wrote a 2025 predictions column saying the US-based immigrant will resign as Tesla boss.
“After constant controversies and distractions, it will all come to a head in 2025, and Musk will be forced to hand over the reins at Tesla, a company many mistakenly think he founded,” David Swan wrote for the Nine newspapers.
The budding government bureaucrat, who also runs the SpaceX, the Boring Company and Neuralink, among others, and already breaking his election promise in backing Donald Trump to become POTUS 47 next week, jumped on his $42 billion grievance platform, formerly known as Twitter, to opine that the paper “will continue to lose readership in 2025 for relentlessly lying to their audience and boring them to death”.
So what does 2025 hold for Musk?
Well, given the man who backed OpenAI before having yet another falling out with those involved (it happened at PayPal, then Tesla, to name a few), and warned of the dangers of AI before going on to launch his own artificial intelligence company, xAI.
He then launched a ChatGPT rival, Grok, on X.
So we felt it only fair to ask Grok 10 predictions on what Elon Musk will do and will happen to him in 2025.
Here’s what the AI chatbot said:
“Here are 10 predictions regarding Elon Musk and events related to him in 2025, based on current trends, his public statements, and insights from various sources:
Mars Mission Update: Musk has long expressed interest in Mars colonization. In 2025, there might be significant updates or even the initiation of a manned mission to Mars with SpaceX, aligning with his vision to make humanity a multi-planetary species.
Tesla’s New Affordability Push: Following predictions of a new, cheaper Tesla model, 2025 could see Musk rolling out a vehicle aimed at broadening Tesla’s market, potentially influencing Tesla’s sales figures significantly.
AI Development: Musk’s involvement with xAI and his predictions about AI surpassing human intelligence by 2025 suggest he will continue to push for AI advancements, possibly announcing new AI models or applications.
Political Engagement: Given Musk’s recent political activities and comments, there’s speculation about his involvement in U.S. politics, perhaps through his influence on policy regarding technology, space, or AI. However, there’s also talk of potential fallout with political figures like Trump, which could impact his business ventures.
SpaceX’s Starship: Musk has expressed ambitions for Starship’s role in space travel. 2025 might see successful commercial or scientific missions using Starship, furthering SpaceX’s lead in the private space industry.
Legal and Regulatory Challenges: With his high-profile business ventures, Musk could face increased scrutiny or legal challenges, particularly related to his management of X (formerly Twitter) or Tesla’s environmental and safety claims.
Cybertruck Expansion: The Cybertruck, which has begun volume production, might see significant market penetration in 2025, either expanding its customer base or facing challenges in meeting demand and expectations.
X (Twitter) Under Fire: Musk’s management of X could lead to outcomes where the platform faces regulatory bans in certain regions or experiences significant user or advertiser backlash, potentially affecting its market position.
Personal Security and Privacy Issues: As one of the world’s most recognized figures, Musk might encounter heightened security concerns or privacy invasions, possibly leading to new security measures or public incidents.
Financial Market Impact: Musk’s actions and statements will continue to have a significant impact on financial markets, especially concerning Tesla, SpaceX, and X stocks. His predictions and business moves could either buoy or depress investor confidence in these companies.
These predictions are speculative and based on current information, public statements, and trends. Given the nature of Musk’s involvement in multiple high-stakes sectors, the landscape around him can change rapidly.”
Creating controversy
Well that was fun. It may all be a crock of Grok, but undeterred, we asked it to predict 5 controversies Elon Musk will cause in 2025. And it replied:
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Political Endorsements and Influence:
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Given Musk’s recent involvement with U.S. politics and his association with Donald Trump, he might publicly endorse or heavily influence political candidates or policies in various countries, particularly in Europe. This could lead to accusations of election interference or undue influence, especially if his platforms like X are perceived as being used to sway public opinion. His support for far-right movements, such as the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany, could further polarize public discourse, leading to significant backlash from political leaders and citizens alike.
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Data Privacy and Security on X:
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With Musk’s oversight, X (formerly Twitter) might face increased scrutiny over data privacy practices, especially if there are breaches or if the platform is seen as mishandling user data. Previous controversies around content moderation, misinformation, and now potential election influence could amplify concerns about how user data is used, particularly in political contexts. If X is involved in any high-profile data scandal, it could lead to regulatory investigations or fines, especially under frameworks like the EU’s Digital Services Act.
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SpaceX and International Space Law:
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Musk’s ambitious space projects with SpaceX, like satellite internet services through Starlink, might provoke international legal disputes or controversies. For instance, if Starlink satellites interfere with other nations’ space operations or if there are disputes about space debris management, this could lead to diplomatic tensions or legal challenges. His past decisions on Starlink activation or deactivation in conflict zones could also continue to be a point of contention.
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AI Ethics and Regulation:
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As Musk continues to push forward with AI development through xAI, controversies around AI ethics, transparency, and safety could escalate. If any AI system developed by Musk’s companies is perceived as biased, unsafe, or used in ethically dubious applications, it might spark public outcry or regulatory action. This is especially relevant given Musk’s vocal warnings about AI risks juxtaposed with his own aggressive expansion into AI technologies.
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Personal and Corporate Misconduct Allegations:
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Musk has faced personal controversies in the past, and in 2025, new allegations or resurfaced issues regarding his personal conduct, leadership style, or corporate culture at his companies might emerge. These could range from workplace discrimination or safety issues at Tesla factories to Musk’s personal life influencing corporate decisions. His public statements or actions might also lead to legal challenges, particularly if they involve defamation or breach of trust with stakeholders.
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These predictions are speculative, based on Musk’s history of controversies and the current socio-political climate. They are not definitive but provide a framework for understanding how his actions might continue to stir debate and scrutiny.”
Backing Trump
OK, so now let’s get to the point. Grok, give us 5 reasons why Musk backed Donald Trump, just weeks after saying he wasn’t backing anyone in the election. When it replied” “Trump’s plans to cut back on regulations, particularly in areas like space exploration and technology, could benefit Musk’s companies like SpaceX and Tesla” we had to admit this is pretty astute AI.
Here’s the full response:
“Elon Musk’s support for Donald Trump in the 2024 U.S. presidential election was influenced by a variety of factors, according to various sources:
Deregulation and Government Efficiency: Musk has expressed interest in reducing what he sees as excessive government regulation. Trump’s plans to cut back on regulations, particularly in areas like space exploration and technology, could benefit Musk’s companies like SpaceX and Tesla. Trump has proposed a “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) with Musk potentially at the helm to streamline government operations, which aligns with Musk’s views on government efficiency.
Economic Policies: Musk’s support was partly driven by Trump’s advocacy for responsible fiscal policies and deregulation, which Musk believes are essential for economic prosperity and business growth. Trump’s promise to lower taxes and reduce government spending resonates with Musk’s economic philosophy.
Protecting Free Speech: Musk has positioned himself as a “free speech absolutist” since acquiring X (formerly Twitter). Trump’s campaign promises to protect free speech rights align with Musk’s stance, especially given Musk’s criticisms of what he perceives as censorship by other tech platforms. Musk’s endorsement is seen as backing a candidate who would potentially support less regulation on speech on platforms like X.
Border Security and Immigration: Musk has echoed sentiments about immigration and border security, suggesting that unchecked immigration could lead to significant societal changes. Trump’s hardline stance on these issues might have appealed to Musk, particularly in the context of his concerns about the implications for democracy and national identity.
Personal and Political Courage: Musk has publicly admired Trump’s resilience and courage, especially in the face of political adversity. This admiration for Trump’s tenacity under fire was cited as a reason for his support, suggesting that Musk values a leader who can withstand and respond to political challenges assertively.
These reasons encapsulate Musk’s political motivations and personal values as they intersect with Trump’s campaign promises and actions.”
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