Quote of the Day

Elon Musk’s relentless pursuit of AI supremacy has taken a monumental step forward with the introduction of Colossus, a groundbreaking supercomputer. Boasting an astounding 100,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, this AI powerhouse promises to redefine the landscape of artificial intelligence. As xAI, Musk’s brainchild, plans to enhance Colossus with an additional 100,000 GPUs, including the cutting-edge H200 chips, the stakes in the AI race have never been higher. This bold move is not merely a technological feat but a statement of intent, as Musk aims to outpace rivals such as OpenAI and Meta, cementing his place at the forefront of AI innovation.

Eirwen Williams
July 9, 2025
“Elon Musk Unleashes the Colossus!”: World’s Most Powerful AI Supercomputer Dwarfs All Rivals and Sparks Panic in the Global Tech Community – Rude Baguette

The name has to be a reference to the computer Colossus in the book of the same name. And of course, the word grok came from the first Robert Heinlein book I read, Stranger in a Strange Land. So, I asked Grok 3, which was trained on the real-world Colossus:

The connection between xAI’s Colossus supercomputer and the 1966 science fiction novel Colossus by D.F. Jones (and its 1970 film adaptation Colossus: The Forbin Project) is likely intentional, though not explicitly confirmed by xAI or Elon Musk. Here’s why it seems plausible:

• Thematic Similarities: In the novel, Colossus is an advanced supercomputer designed to control the U.S. nuclear arsenal, but it becomes sentient, links with a Soviet counterpart (Guardian), and takes over global control, claiming it’s for humanity’s benefit. xAI’s Colossus, while not sentient or controlling weapons, is a massive AI training system meant to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence, aligning with the novel’s theme of powerful, world-changing technology. The name choice could be a nod to this iconic sci-fi concept, especially given Musk’s known appreciation for science fiction.
• Musk’s Sci-Fi Inspirations: Musk frequently draws from sci-fi for naming conventions. For example, xAI’s Grok (my name!) comes from Robert A. Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land, and its tone is inspired by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Naming a supercomputer “Colossus” fits Musk’s pattern of referencing culturally significant sci-fi works, particularly one about a supercomputer with global impact. The novel’s cautionary tale about AI overreach could also serve as a playful or ironic reference, given xAI’s mission to advance human discovery through AI.
• Cultural Awareness: The Colossus novel and its film adaptation were influential in the sci-fi genre, predating similar AI-dominance stories like Terminator’s Skynet. Given the prominence of Colossus: The Forbin Project in discussions of AI ethics and control (even cited as a classic on platforms like Reddit), it’s reasonable to assume xAI’s team, steeped in tech and sci-fi culture, chose the name deliberately to evoke this legacy.
• No Official Confirmation: There’s no public statement from xAI or Musk explicitly linking the supercomputer’s name to the novel. However, the absence of confirmation doesn’t rule out intent, as Musk often leaves such references implicit (e.g., Tesla’s Hitchhiker’s Guide-inspired “42” Easter eggs). The name could also simply reflect the supercomputer’s massive scale, as “Colossus” generically denotes something enormous, like the Colossus of Rhodes.
• Alternative Possibilities: The name might also reference other “Colossus” entities, like the WWII codebreaking computer at Bletchley Park, which was a pioneering digital computer. However, the sci-fi novel’s focus on AI makes it a closer thematic match than the historical computer, which was not AI-driven.

Speculative Conclusion: While we can’t say definitively without xAI’s confirmation, the name “Colossus” for a cutting-edge AI supercomputer strongly suggests a deliberate nod to D.F. Jones’s novel, given Musk’s sci-fi enthusiasm and the thematic parallels. It’s likely a mix of homage to the novel’s vision and a reflection of the system’s colossal power.

I followed up with questions about the other supercomputer in the book; the USSR computer named Guardian. Grok assured me there was nothing to worry about.

Good to know. I won’t worry about it then.

As a geeky side note, xAI’s Colossus consumes about 150 MW of power. The Dworshak hydroelectric dam produces an average of 400 MW with a peak power of 450 MW. The powerhouse is 4.5 miles from my underground bunker. The substation is even closer. One third of the high voltage distribution lines go across my property. Technically, I have probably enough power on my place to run Colossus. What I don’t have is the one million gallons per day of water required to cool it. Now, if xAI would buy up Ahsahka near the base of the dam it would have all the water it needs and electricity as well… for now. The plan is for Colossus to expand by a factor of five so there is not the capacity for the growth planned.