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Techcrunch 29 September 2026

Elon Musk's xAI acquires dot.com before OpenAI's launch

Elon Musk's xAI acquires dot.com before OpenAI's launch

Before the launch of OpenAI's new AI agent, Dots, on Tuesday, xAI, Elon Musk's technology company, has acquired the domain name "dot.com." This remarkable incident has led to speculation that Musk's enterprise is making a subtle joke at OpenAI's expense. The domain currently redirects to the download page of the Grok chatbot, raising further questions about xAI's strategic plans and the potential rivalry with OpenAI.

The timing of this acquisition may indicate a broader strategy from Musk's office, emphasizing his interest in artificial intelligence. It is no secret that Musk has a critical view of the direction of AI development, and securing "dot.com" can be seen as an attempt to shift the spotlight onto his own technology. Dots was launched with much fanfare by OpenAI, creating the impression that xAI may have deliberately capitalized on this publicity.

This event has elicited various reactions from the online community, ranging from admiration for Musk's marketing strategy to doubts about the ethics of such actions in the competitive technology industry. It can also be interpreted as a way for Musk to stamp his mark on the AI market, especially given the factional differences between the companies regarding artificial intelligence and the responsibilities that come with it.

Acquiring a recognizable domain name like "dot.com" can also provide significant advantages in terms of brand recognition and customer loyalty. At a time when technology companies are vying for the attention of both consumers and investors, xAI can take a strong position in the future plans and strategies of both Musk's company and the broader AI industry with such a move.

Read the full article from Techcrunch.