xAI and SpaceX sued over Mississippi data‑center noise and California safety‑concern dismissal

A federal class‑action was filed in Oxford, Mississippi by about 10,000 local residents alleging that the gas‑turbine‑driven data center built by Elon Musk’s xAI produces “omnipresent and inescapable” noise and ground vibrations around the clock. The facility, located in Southaven, runs at least 46 industrial methane turbines to power high‑density AI supercomputers and has expanded from an earlier 27‑turbine setup. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages for emotional distress, reduced property values and a share of the profits, and have named SpaceX as a co‑defendant because it now wholly owns xAI.

In a separate lawsuit filed in California state court, former xAI engineer Devin Kim, now president of an AI‑safety think tank, claims he was terminated for urging the company to implement safety guardrails for its chatbot Grok. Kim alleges retaliation and wrongful discharge under California law, seeking unspecified monetary relief. The suit was filed ahead of SpaceX’s planned initial public offering, adding to scrutiny of Musk’s enterprises.

Both cases highlight growing legal and community pushback against the rapid expansion of Musk’s AI operations and raise questions about corporate responsibility, safety practices and environmental impact.