Elon Musk attended the 56th annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2026, where significant developments in technology and business were discussed. Microsoft announced a partnership with SpaceX's Starlink to enhance global internet connectivity. This collaboration underscores Microsoft's commitment to working with Musk's enterprises, despite ongoing legal disputes involving Musk and OpenAI, the AI organization he co-founded.
Microsoft's chief sustainability officer, Melanie Nakagawa, detailed the initiative in a blog post, indicating that the partnership aims to leverage low-Earth orbit satellite technology combined with local deployment strategies. One specific project involves connecting 450 community hubs in Kenya in coordination with a local internet service provider, which could contribute to increased demand for SpaceX's satellite services.
This collaboration comes against the backdrop of Musk's legal actions against OpenAI, where he seeks substantial financial restitution related to his equity stake in the organization, which is now a for-profit entity. Musk has expressed criticism of Microsoft on social media, particularly concerning its association with Reid Hoffman, a Microsoft board member linked to past controversies.
In another notable development, Musk announced a merger between SpaceX and his AI startup, xAI, which has been gaining traction in the technology sector. Microsoft previously integrated support for xAI's Grok models into its Foundry cloud software.
Microsoft's ongoing efforts to expand internet access have reportedly exceeded its initial goal of reaching 250 million people by the end of 2025, now covering over 299 million individuals. The partnership with Starlink is positioned as a critical step in continuing these outreach initiatives.