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Elon Musk said he is open to renaming SpaceXAI as SpaceXSI, following President Donald Trump’s push to use “super intelligence” instead of “artificial intelligence.” Musk also said SpaceX and Tesla are discussing Terafab with TSMC, but no agreement or rebrand has been confirmed.
Elon Musk said he is willing to rename SpaceX’s AI-focused unit SpaceXAI to SpaceXSI, after President Donald Trump called for artificial intelligence to be referred to as “super intelligence.” Musk also said SpaceX and Tesla are discussing possible cooperation with TSMC on Terafab, a planned chipmaking project; he described those talks as discussions only, with no deal announced.
Musk posted on October 3 that “SpaceX is a super intelligence company” and indicated he would consider changing the unit’s name. The remarks follow Trump’s September 22 directive to use “super intelligence” or “SI” for artificial intelligence and his subsequent announcement of a proposed Super Intelligence Force initiative to connect the federal government with industry. The available information does not establish that SpaceX has formally changed its unit’s name or that the initiative has begun operating.
In a separate development, Musk said SpaceX and Tesla are talking with TSMC about its potential role in Terafab. He characterized the discussions as preliminary: “Just discussions, but something may come of it.” The project is intended to supply computing capacity for applications including Optimus robots, self-driving cars and space-based data centers. The reported goal is at least one terawatt of AI compute per year, but that is a target, not a stated current production level.
Terafab’s first phase is being built in Grimes County, Texas, with an initial capital outlay reported at $16.8 billion. A full buildout could cost more than $100 billion, according to the report. Intel joined the initiative in April 2026, with plans to contribute its 14A process technology and advanced packaging capabilities. TSMC’s participation, however, has not been confirmed.
Two Projects, One Chip Supply
The two developments point to the scale of Musk’s ambitions in AI computing and semiconductor production, while also highlighting the limits of what is settled. A possible name change would align SpaceX’s branding with Trump’s preferred terminology, but it does not by itself signal a change to the unit’s technology or operations. Trump’s proposed Super Intelligence Force could create a new channel between government and technology companies if it proceeds; details of its remit and structure were not provided.
For Terafab, a TSMC role could matter because the project is designed to supply large volumes of chips and related compute for Tesla and SpaceX plans. But talks alone do not mean a Texas fab will be built, that TSMC will invest, or that it will provide manufacturing capacity. Any such arrangement could affect the project’s cost, timing and access to advanced manufacturing. The reports also describe possible reliance on NVIDIA GPUs, which are manufactured by TSMC, creating a potential connection between chip supply and the project’s computing infrastructure.
TSMC’s possible participation could also bring cost considerations. The report cites the company as saying its Arizona wafers cost 30% to 40% more than wafers made in Taiwan. That comparison concerns Arizona production, not a confirmed Terafab proposal. Whether it applies to any future Texas operation, and how costs would be shared, remains unknown.
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Trump’s Terminology and Terafab
Trump called for changing the public-sector terminology for artificial intelligence on September 22, 2026, asking the US government to adopt “super intelligence,” abbreviated as SI. Musk’s October 3 comments followed that announcement. The wording is a change in terminology; the supplied details do not describe a technical reclassification or a new government definition of AI.
Terafab is presented as a joint effort by SpaceX and Tesla to expand semiconductor production for their computing needs. Intel’s reported entry in April 2026 added a prospective manufacturing and packaging partner. The proposed scale—at least one terawatt of compute annually—is an ambition described for the project, while the initial Texas phase is under construction. The stated possibility of a buildout costing more than $100 billion illustrates why the companies may be exploring additional partners, but no financing plan involving TSMC has been confirmed.
“SpaceX is a super intelligence company.”
— Elon Musk
No Name Change or TSMC Deal
It is not yet clear whether SpaceX will formally adopt SpaceXSI, when any rename would take effect, or whether the company intends to change anything beyond the unit’s label. Musk’s description of SpaceX as a super intelligence company is his characterization, not an independently established classification.
For Terafab, the companies have not disclosed the scope of the TSMC discussions, a potential investment, a purchase commitment or a timeline. The reported prospect of TSMC operating a Texas fab remains preliminary. The project’s final cost, production capacity, schedule and division of work among SpaceX, Tesla, Intel and any additional partner have not been confirmed. Details on the proposed federal Super Intelligence Force—including its authority, membership and launch date—also remain unavailable.
Watch for Formal Project Terms
The next meaningful updates would be a formal SpaceX announcement about the unit’s name and a concrete statement from SpaceX, Tesla or TSMC on whether their talks will lead to a Terafab partnership. Any announced terms would help clarify whether TSMC might invest, supply equipment or capacity, or operate a facility in Texas. Until then, the company’s involvement should be treated as under discussion rather than settled.
Further information about Terafab’s construction, spending and expected output will also be needed to compare its stated goals with actual progress. Separately, details from the Trump administration about the proposed Super Intelligence Force could show how the initiative would work with private companies. No dates or milestones for those disclosures were specified in the reported remarks.
Source: Wccftech
Key Questions
Has SpaceX officially renamed SpaceXAI to SpaceXSI?
No formal name change is confirmed. Musk said he was willing to use SpaceXSI, but no effective date or company announcement was reported.
Have SpaceX, Tesla and TSMC agreed to work together on Terafab?
No. Musk said the companies were having discussions and added that something might come of them. No agreement, investment or manufacturing commitment was announced.
What is Terafab intended to produce?
The project aims to support large-scale semiconductor and AI computing needs for applications such as Optimus robots, self-driving cars and space-based data centers. Its reported target of at least one terawatt of compute per year is a stated goal, not current output.
What is the Super Intelligence Force?
Trump announced the proposed initiative as a way to connect the federal government with the wider industry on super intelligence. Its structure, authority and operating timeline have not been detailed in the reported information.
Source: Wccftech
