This week, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed their enthusiasm for making 'Star Trek' a reality during an event at SpaceX headquarters in Starbase, Texas. This event was part of Hegseth’s ongoing 'Arsenal of Freedom' tour. Interestingly, Starbase gets its name from a term popularized by the 'Star Trek' series.
In their presentations, both Musk and Hegseth seemed unaware that 'Arsenal of Freedom' is not only a nod to the sci-fi series but also the title of a 1988 episode of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'. This episode involves an AI-driven weapon system that devastates a civilization and poses a threat to the USS Enterprise. Some dedicated fans of the series, however, did notice the reference.
During his speech, Musk revealed his ambitious plans for SpaceX, expressing a desire to “make Starfleet Academy real.” This fictional academy is central to a new 'Star Trek' TV series premiering on January 15. After introducing Hegseth, the two men exchanged pleasantries. Hegseth even made the iconic Vulcan salute, reiterating Musk's sentiment with, “Star Trek real!”
Hegseth emphasized the critical role of innovation and artificial intelligence in the US military. He announced, “Very soon, we will have the world’s leading AI models on every unclassified and classified network throughout our department. Long overdue.”
He further elaborated on a strategy directed toward accelerating AI implementation, stressing the need to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, focus on investments, and improve execution to ensure the US maintains dominance in military AI.