SpaceX Pursues AI Startup Cognition Amidst Fierce Competition

SpaceX has reportedly made efforts to acquire the AI coding startup Cognition, signaling an intensified push in the artificial intelligence race against competitors such as OpenAI and Google. Cognition's CEO, Scott Wu, has publicly refuted these claims, asserting on X that the company is not for sale and that no discussions with SpaceX have taken place.

This development comes shortly after SpaceX's acquisition of Cursor, another AI coding startup, which concluded last week. Earlier this year, SpaceX also integrated Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, into its operations. SpaceX has been marketing its AI aspirations to investors, which include ambitious plans for data centers in space.

However, xAI remains in its early stages and has faced challenges, including controversies surrounding its chatbot Grok. Cognition, meanwhile, remains a significant independent AI coding startup. The company recently raised $1 billion at a $25 billion valuation and is reportedly in early discussions for a new funding round at a $40 billion valuation.

While acquisition talks may have ceased, there is ongoing discussion about potential collaboration, possibly involving Cognition utilizing SpaceX's computing capacity. This follows Cognition's acquisition of Windsurf's assets after Google DeepMind talent-acquired its leadership and research team.