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Microsoft to Integrate Elon Musk’s xAI Models Into Azure Cloud Platform

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Microsoft Expands Azure AI Marketplace With Elon Musk’s Grok 3 Models

Microsoft is bringing Elon Musk’s xAI models to its Azure cloud platform, expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) model marketplace with new capabilities. The company confirmed that Grok 3, the latest AI model developed by xAI and launched earlier this year, will be available to Azure customers. This addition is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to cement Azure as a leading platform for deploying and managing cutting-edge AI applications.

The tech giant is competing with other major cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud to become the primary destination for AI development. As the demand for diverse and powerful AI models grows, so does the competition among cloud providers to host them. With Grok 3 joining Azure’s marketplace, Microsoft now offers access to over 1,900 models, including those from OpenAI, Meta, and DeepSeek. However, notable absences remain, such as models from Google and the fast-rising startup Anthropic.

Microsoft also made a series of AI-focused announcements during the opening of Build 2025, its annual developer conference. Many of the updates highlighted the company’s efforts to enhance agent-based AI systems—intelligent tools designed to act on a user’s behalf. A key focus was on integrating industry standards like Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP), which helps AI agents interface more effectively with digital content and applications. Microsoft confirmed that Windows and other products will adopt MCP, ensuring broader compatibility with future AI tools.

In support of this initiative, Microsoft and its GitHub subsidiary have also joined the MCP steering committee, further reinforcing their commitment to open AI collaboration and interoperability. “In order for agents to be as useful as they could be, they need to be able to talk to everything in the world,” said Kevin Scott, Microsoft’s Chief Technology Officer, emphasizing the importance of cross-platform communication and AI accessibility in the future of computing.

SpaceX Conducts Static Fire Test of Starship Upper Stage Ahead of Ninth Flight

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SpaceX has once again demonstrated progress with its next-generation Starship spacecraft by conducting a full-duration static fire test of the vehicle’s upper stage on May 12th at its Starbase facility in South Texas. During this important milestone, the 171-foot-tall upper stage fired all six Raptor engines for approximately 60 seconds, confirming the ship’s readiness as it undergoes final preparations. This test marks the third static fire for this particular Starship, highlighting SpaceX’s methodical approach to refining the vehicle before its highly anticipated ninth test flight. The company shared video and images from the test on social media, giving enthusiasts a closer look at the spacecraft’s development.

This static fire represents one of the last critical steps before the vehicle’s next launch, though SpaceX has yet to announce an official date. The booster designated for Flight 9 has also completed its own static fire test, fueling speculation that the launch could be imminent, possibly within weeks. Once fully assembled, the Starship system towers at 403.5 feet, making it the most powerful rocket ever built. Its design emphasizes full reusability for both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage—an essential feature for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

To date, Starship has flown eight test missions, including two in 2025. While the launches themselves proceeded smoothly, the upper stage encountered failures shortly after reaching space during both 2025 flights. Notably, the Super Heavy booster executed impressive and precise landings back at Starbase, aided by the giant launch tower’s “chopstick” arms—a first-of-its-kind rocket-catching method. However, the upper stage exploded less than ten minutes post-launch on both occasions, raising questions about its stability and resilience.

Despite these setbacks, SpaceX continues to refine Starship, pushing closer to achieving a fully reusable spacecraft capable of supporting ambitious space exploration goals. With multiple static fire tests completed and ongoing improvements, the ninth launch is expected to come soon, provided the company maintains its rapid pace of testing and development at Starbase. Enthusiasts and space watchers alike remain eager to see how Starship progresses on its path toward becoming a cornerstone for humanity’s interplanetary future.

FTC Probes Media Matters Over Alleged Role in X Advertiser Boycott

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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened an investigation into Media Matters, demanding documents about potential coordination with other watchdog groups accused by Elon Musk of organizing advertiser boycotts targeting X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

According to a document reviewed by Reuters, the FTC issued a civil investigative demand (CID) requesting details about Media Matters’ communications with groups like the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM)—a now-disbanded initiative under the World Federation of Advertisers. Both organizations are also being sued by Musk’s company for allegedly coordinating an illegal boycott of X.

The investigation is focused on whether Media Matters and other entities colluded to pressure advertisers into pulling ad spending from X, which Musk acquired in 2022.

Escalation Under Trump-Era FTC Chair

The probe reflects a shift in priorities under FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, appointed by President Donald Trump. In December, Ferguson stated:

“We must prosecute any unlawful collusion between online platforms, and confront advertiser boycotts which threaten competition among those platforms.”

The FTC has not made any formal accusations, and a CID is not an indication of wrongdoing. However, the demand signals that federal regulators are scrutinizing possible anticompetitive conduct in the ad industry amid rising political and legal tensions between progressive media groups and Musk-led platforms.

Media Matters Responds

Angelo Carusone, President of Media Matters, condemned the probe:

“The Trump administration has been defined by naming right-wing media figures to key posts and abusing the power of the federal government to bully political opponents and silence critics.”

“These threats won’t work; we remain steadfast to our mission.”

Media Matters is engaged in two legal battles with X—defending itself from a 2023 defamation lawsuit and pursuing its own case accusing X of retaliatory litigation tactics.

Background and Broader Legal Context

  • X sued Media Matters in 2023 for publishing reports that showed major brand ads appearing next to extremist content on the platform.

  • Media Matters countersued, alleging that Musk’s company was trying to silence critical reporting with costly, meritless lawsuits.

  • X also sued the World Federation of Advertisers and major brands in Texas federal court, alleging unlawful conspiracy to limit advertising.

  • The U.S. House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, has previously accused GARM of coordinating an illegal group boycott. The initiative was shut down in August 2023.

Market Context

While X has struggled with declining ad revenue since Musk’s takeover, research by Emarketer suggests ad spending could increase in 2025, although it still remains below pre-acquisition levels.

Elon Musk, a major Trump campaign donor, has been publicly vocal about alleged efforts to suppress conservative voices and crypto innovation, while also pushing a broader federal workforce reduction initiative.