In an announcement that seemed calm and did not attract much attention at first, Elon Musk announced the merger of his artificial intelligence company xAI with the X platform (formerly Twitter) in a massive deal valued at $33 billion. Despite the calm appearance of the announcement, its essence is deeply concerning, as it places immense control in the hands of one man, which could unprecedentedly affect the future of humanity.
The real danger of this deal lies in linking highly advanced artificial intelligence with a platform used freely by millions around the world daily, where they exchange their thoughts, opinions, and feelings without reservation. Thus, Platform X becomes an ideal source for directly feeding an AI model capable of predicting, controlling, and perhaps manipulating global public opinion.
The real impact on users
Contrary to what many people think, users are no longer just consumers of digital content. They have become live sources or even guinea pigs for endless data, with every word, like, and click being recorded, analyzed, and used to develop super-powerful AI models. Over time, the platform may transform from a simple mirror reflecting users’ thoughts into an active device shaping those very thoughts. The real question will be, how should you think today? Instead of What do you want to see?
Mask among competitors: Differences in goal and method
Unlike companies like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Apple, Musk operates in a dangerous and vast space without real oversight or restrictions. For example, OpenAI is subject to institutional oversight and clear laws that limit its potential deviations, while Google operates cautiously in a closed and controlled environment out of fear of legal and regulatory accountability.
As for Meta, its efforts are largely focused on exploiting data to achieve direct advertising profits without attempting to create an artificial mind that controls public opinion. And Apple, which always emphasizes user privacy, seems far removed from this race. (According to reports from Forbes and Business Insider on privacy policies and AI regulation).
On the other hand, Musk is building a very different and extremely dangerous model. He has the full capability to feed his artificial intelligence from an open and popular platform, possesses satellite communication networks through Starlink, and is working on the Neuralink project to directly connect artificial intelligence to the human brain.
The unofficial global president
The situation becomes more serious if we take into account Musk’s political and social power; he today represents not just a tech leader but has also become a leader of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, wielding enormous influence in American and global politics. In light of the apparent weakness even in the strongest democracy in the world, the United States, Musk has become the unofficial president of the world, with no one able to stop him or limit his influence. Major media outlets like The Guardian and The New York Times have repeatedly talked about this unprecedented power that Musk now possesses.
Serious repercussions for all parties involved.
Employees on platform X will be the first to feel the danger, as many jobs will be replaced by automated intelligent systems. As for investors, they face a huge risk, as failure could lead to the complete collapse of the platform, while success will change the digital world forever.
Governments face a real existential threat, as a single individual controls a global platform that manipulates public opinion and collective consciousness, beyond any regulatory authority or government oversight.
The unavoidable truth is that Musk is no longer content with just controlling our data; he aims to fully control human consciousness and establish his own digital civilization before governments realize what is happening.
And this raises an existential question: Do we control technology? Or has technology begun to control us and surpass us towards a mysterious and frightening future?
