Optimus training: sim-to-real and robot academies

In this episode, John and I got to do a real deep-dive with Elon. We discuss the economics of orbital data centers, the difficulties of scaling power on Earth, what it would take to manufacture humanoids at high-volume in America, xAI’s business and alignment plans, DOGE, and much more.

Watch on YouTube; read the transcript.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 - Orbital data centers

00:36:46 - Grok and alignment

00:59:56 - xAI’s business plan

01:17:21 - Optimus and humanoid manufacturing

01:30:22 - Does China win by default?

01:44:16 - Lessons from running SpaceX

02:20:08 - DOGE

02:38:28 - TeraFab