The limiting factor once you can get to space is chips, but the limiting factor before you can get to space is power.
Words found on the source page on Nov 6, 2026.
More from Elon Musk
PodcastDwarkesh Podcast: In 36 months, the cheapest place to put AI will be spaceFeb 5, 2026
But I think China’s going to be making pretty compelling chips in three or four years.PodcastDwarkesh Podcast: In 36 months, the cheapest place to put AI will be spaceFeb 5, 2026
In 36 months, but probably closer to 30 months, the most economically compelling place to put AI will be space.PodcastDwarkesh Podcast: In 36 months, the cheapest place to put AI will be spaceFeb 5, 2026
Meaning, five years from now, my prediction is we will launch and be operating every year more AI in space than the cumulative total on Earth.PodcastDwarkesh Podcast: In 36 months, the cheapest place to put AI will be spaceFeb 5, 2026
My guess is that people start getting to the point where they can’t turn the chips on for large clusters towards the end of this year. The chips are going to be piling up and won’t be able to be turned on.PodcastDwarkesh Podcast: In 36 months, the cheapest place to put AI will be spaceFeb 5, 2026
The output of chips is growing pretty much exponentially, but the output of electricity is flat.PodcastDwarkesh Podcast: In 36 months, the cheapest place to put AI will be spaceFeb 5, 2026
Truth has to be absolutely fundamental because you can’t understand the universe if you’re delusional.PodcastDwarkesh Podcast: In 36 months, the cheapest place to put AI will be spaceFeb 5, 2026
Well, I’d be surprised by the end of this year if digital human emulation has not been solved.
On the same topics
FilingBroadcom Q3 FY26 earnings release (SEC Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1)Sep 2, 2026
Demand for our custom AI accelerators and networking continues to be very strong. Q3 AI semiconductor revenue of $16.7 billion grew 221% year-over-year, and 54% quarter-over-quarter...FilingBroadcom Q3 FY26 earnings release (SEC Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1)Sep 2, 2026
In Q4 the momentum continues, and we expect AI semiconductor revenue to accelerate to $21.7 billion, up 236% year-over-year.EssayAI Needs Evidenced Standards, Not A Cartel (Who Gets to Define the Rules for AI?)September 2026
Within a generation, the way we discover medicine, manage power grids, and secure our national infrastructure will be completely transformed.FilingNVIDIA Q2 FY27 earnings release (SEC Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1)Aug 26, 2026
The AI infrastructure buildout is at full steam. Vera Rubin, now in full production, was built to power exactly this moment.FilingAMD Q2 2026 earnings release (SEC Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1)Aug 4, 2026
More broadly, AI is driving a significant expansion in demand for compute across all of our markets, and our leadership portfolio and growing customer visibility position us exceptionally well to capture this expanding opportunity and deliver substantial revenue and earnings growth in the years ahead.FilingIntel Q2 2026 earnings release (SEC Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1)Jul 23, 2026
AI is driving unprecedented demand for compute, and as we continue to execute, Intel is well-positioned to capture sustainable growth across our CPU franchise, ASICs, advanced packaging and vast wafer foundry network...
About this quote
- Said by
- Elon Musk, CEO, Tesla and xAI
- Where
- Dwarkesh Podcast: In 36 months, the cheapest place to put AI will be space
- Topics
- Chips, Energy
- Company
xAI- Source
- dwarkesh.com/p/elon-musk
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