SpaceX has decided to rent its Colossus 1 data center to AI firm Anthropic, after internal teams struggled to use the facility for developing the Grok model due to latency issues, sources told Bloomberg. The move comes as the company prepares for a highly anticipated initial public offering. SpaceX has positioned AI infrastructure as a key component of its IPO pitch to investors.
The decision reflects broader shifts in the tech landscape, where AI companies are aggressively securing computational resources. Anthropic, a rival to OpenAI, gains access to significant computing power just as the market for AI services heats up. For SpaceX, the deal turns an underperforming asset into revenue ahead of its public listing.
According to Bloomberg's sources, internal teams at SpaceX encountered persistent latency problems with Colossus 1 that hindered Grok development. The specific nature of the latency issues remains unclear. The data center is now being repurposed for Anthropic's use, though financial terms of the lease were not disclosed.
The transaction could test investor appetite for cross-industry deals as SpaceX moves toward its IPO. Anthropic strengthens its infrastructure position against competitors, while SpaceX demonstrates the ability to monetize assets beyond its core launch business. The IPO market, meanwhile, is seeing a wave of high-profile listings from AI and space firms.
Critics may question whether leasing critical AI infrastructure to a direct competitor's rival creates strategic conflicts. Some analysts note that dependence on third-party data centers introduces operational risks for Anthropic.