It sounds like there is a serious push towards the advancement of AI and its applications in the world.

I think it's a race. And it is only a race because it can be a weapon, and no super power or mega corporation wants the other(s) to have the upper hand. If it were only a technology to benefit humanity, they wouldn't care much, even if they'd say they would.

I wonder what Elon's primary goal is. It might just be space as you said.

I think it is, because it's the one going the slowest too (compared to his desire to colonize Mars), and he is not getting younger.