The internet is convinced Elon Musk’s xAI trolled OpenAI’s ‘Dots’ launch
techcrunch.com Sep 29, 2026

The internet is convinced Elon Musk’s xAI trolled OpenAI’s ‘Dots’ launch

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

OpenAI unveiled Dots Tuesday, an always‑on AI assistant with a bright, blobby avatar. Hours after the announcement, “dot.com” began redirecting to the download page for xAI’s Grok chatbot. Whois records show the domain transferred to xAI in July, and the company has not commented. Observers note that “dot.com” matches the product name, while “bot.com” and similar typo‑domains remain unowned, suggesting a strategic purchase rather than a joke. A viral X post by user “birdabo,” who calls themselves “chief shitposting officer@SpaceXAI,” claimed Musk’s team bought the domain to mock OpenAI’s launch. The theory gained traction after it emerged that the more obvious “dots.com” is owned by a defunct firm, leaving the prank speculation unresolved as tech community watches rivalry unfold.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Controlling a near‑identical domain lets Musk’s xAI hijack search traffic and turn a product debut into a public jab, underscoring how digital real‑estate can be weaponized in the AI arms race.