Published 03/16/26 AT 1:05 AM AEDT Share on Facebook Share on Pocket Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur leading Tesla, SpaceX, xAI and other ventures, announced Saturday that Tesla's ambitious Terafab project — a massive facility for manufacturing artificial intelligence chips — will launch in seven days, marking a bold step to address surging demand for custom AI hardware. In a post on X, his social media platform, Musk wrote that the "Terafab Project launches in 7 days," pointing to March 21, 2026, as the start date for what he has described as a vertically integrated chip fabrication effort combining logic processing, memory and advanced packaging. The initiative, first detailed during Tesla's January 2026 earnings call, aims to mitigate projected supply constraints in three to four years as Tesla ramps up AI capabilities for autonomous driving, robotics and energy products. Musk has repeatedly criticized existing foundries for failing to meet his companies' needs for high-performance chips, estimating annual requirements in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Terafab represents Tesla's push into semiconductor production, a move that could rival established players like TSMC and Intel while integrating deeply with xAI's AI development. The announcement comes as Musk oversees a major overhaul at xAI, his artificial intelligence startup. On Thursday, he posted that xAI "was not built right first time around, so is being rebuilt from the foundations up." The company, which merged with SpaceX in a record $1.25 trillion deal earlier this year, has seen significant co-founder exodus — only two of the original 11 remain. Musk apologized for rejecting promising job candidates and said he and talent lead Baris Akis are reviewing old applications to reconnect with overlooked talent. Musk predicted xAI could catch up to competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic by mid-2026, following an all-hands meeting focused on acceleration. The rebuild includes hiring new executives from firms like Cursor to revamp efforts on AI coding tools and Grok, xAI's flagship model. SpaceX remains in the spotlight with reports that the rocket and satellite company is leaning toward a Nasdaq listing for what could become history's largest initial public offering. Sources told Reuters that SpaceX, valued at over $1.75 trillion in some estimates, has engaged legal advisors Gibson Dunn and Davis Polk & Wardwell for the blockbuster IPO process. The company previously sought early index inclusion, signaling preparations for public trading. The potential listing follows SpaceX's ongoing successes, including Starlink expansions — most recently launching service in Kuwait on March 14 — and continued restrictions on unauthorized use by Russian forces in Ukraine. Musk confirmed Starlink's effectiveness in blocking stolen terminals, aiding Ukrainian operations. Tesla, meanwhile, faces its own dynamics. Musk said during a recent Abundance Summit appearance that the company expects to increase its human workforce as AI and robotics boost productivity, predicting "nutty high" output per employee. He explicitly ruled out layoffs, contrasting with broader industry trends where AI advancements have prompted reductions elsewhere. Neuralink, Musk's brain-computer interface company, continues progressing toward scaled operations. Plans announced earlier in 2026 call for high-volume production of implants and nearly fully automated surgical procedures this year. As of early 2026, Neuralink reported 21 human trial participants worldwide, up from 12 in late 2025, with devices enabling thought-controlled digital interactions and no serious adverse events reported. Musk's recent X activity reflects his eclectic style, from endorsing memes and cultural commentary to celebrating SpaceX's 24th anniversary on March 14 — the company he founded in 2002. Posts included reactions to global events, entropy discussions and Starlink milestones. Legal matters persist in the background. Musk testified in early March in a San Francisco shareholder lawsuit over his 2022 Twitter (now X) acquisition, defending social media posts as "extremely literal" and denying intent to manipulate stock prices. He told jurors that investors "read too much" into his messages during attempts to renegotiate the $44 billion deal. Broader controversies include xAI's Mississippi power plant permit, granted despite pollution concerns, and ongoing scrutiny of Grok AI features. Musk's influence extends to policy, though a U.S. appeals court in March ruled he need not depose regarding his Department of Government Efficiency role under the Trump administration. As Musk juggles these ventures, his net worth — recently soaring to cement his status as the world's richest person — underscores the high stakes. With Terafab's imminent launch, xAI's rebuild and SpaceX's IPO trajectory, March 2026 highlights his relentless push across AI, space and transportation. Analysts watch closely for execution amid competition and regulatory hurdles. Musk's track record of ambitious timelines suggests rapid progress, though challenges in scaling hardware and retaining talent remain. © Copyright 2026 IBTimes AU. All rights reserved. MEET IBT NEWS FROM BELOW CHANNELS Request a Correction