Elon Musk Is Taking Over Spam Factory and Gun Range to Expand Colossus 2 AI Complex
Work advances at Colossus 2
Musk said he toured the Colossus 2 site around midnight and again the following morning. He praised progress by the SpaceX team and contractors. He said the Gun Range was on track to become operational by the end of November, with Spam expected in December. The article does not explain what those names refer to.
Building AI computing capacity
AI systems require substantial computing power. Musk built the Colossus supercomputer in Memphis in 2024, and xAI later expanded the project with Colossus 2 to provide more power for its chatbot, Grok.
Construction of the Colossus 2 campus began last year in Memphis. xAI was acquired by SpaceX, according to the article.
Lawsuit over gas turbines
In April, the NAACP sued xAI and its subsidiary, MZX Tech. The organization alleged that they were operating methane gas turbines without permits to power Colossus 2. The complaint placed the turbines in Southaven, Mississippi, less than 20 minutes away. Last week, a US District Judge denied the companies’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Key points
- Musk said the Gun Range could be operational by the end of November and Spam in December.
- Colossus 2 is intended to provide more computing power for xAI’s chatbot, Grok.
- The NAACP alleges xAI and MZX Tech operated unpermitted methane gas turbines in Southaven.
- A US District Judge denied the companies’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit last week.