Abstract: Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI recently submitted a trademark application for "Macrohard," which is seen as a public parody of tech giant Microsoft (Microsoft). The trademark application covers core categories such as programming and AI agents for image/video generation, aligning with Musk's previous hints on the X platform, indicating that xAI will establish a subsidiary focused on related fields.
From Online Hints to Concrete Actions: xAI's New Moves
According to publicly available information from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI officially submitted a "Macrohard" trademark registration application on August 1, 2025. This move formally confirmed the speculation sparked by Musk on social media.
As early as July 14, Musk hinted on the X platform that xAI was preparing to establish a subsidiary focused on programming and AI agents for image/video generation. At that time, he asked the public: "This is a grand challenge, can you guess what the name of this company is?" When some users mentioned "Macrohard" in the comments, Musk responded with a wink, seemingly confirming the name.
The serial number of this trademark application is 99314877, with an application fee of $2300, covering two core trademark categories, which highly aligns with Musk's previously disclosed business direction of the subsidiary.
"Macrohard": A Clever Parody of Microsoft
The name "Macrohard" itself is full of Musk's humor and provocation. It is clearly a direct parody of the tech giant Microsoft (Microsoft). By replacing "Micro (micro)" with "Macro (macro)," xAI maintains similarity in pronunciation and spelling with Microsoft while creating a strong contrast. This is not only a tribute or challenge to Microsoft but also implies that the new company may innovate on a macro level or on a larger scale.
This trademark registration marks a concrete step for xAI in expanding its AI business portfolio and lays the groundwork for potential future competition with Microsoft in areas such as AI agents for programming, image, and video generation.