Learners Live

What to Know About Elon Musk’s Merger of SpaceX With His AI Company by Laurence Darmiento

Elon Musk recently announced what seemed like an odd pairing of his companies: SpaceX was acquiring xAI, the artificial intelligence firm that also owns the social media platform X. The merger combines a highly profitable rocket company with an AI startup that is burning through billions of dollars as it competes with OpenAI and other rivals for dominance in artificial intelligence. The merged companies are valued at $1.25 trillion. That is higher than recent separate valuations of SpaceX at $800 billion and xAI’s holding company at $230 billion. IPO shares are expected to price at roughly $525. Aside from the financial benefits, there are technical reasons. Musk has sketched out a futuristic plan that involves sending up to a million satellites — called data centers — into an orbit, where the sun could power them all day and night while they do artificial intelligence computations. What to know about Elon Musk’s merger of SpaceX with his AI company

Inside the Electrical Industry’s AI Learning Curve by Tim Kridel

As electrical firms ramp up their use of artificial intelligence, some trends are emerging in why, where, how, and for whom. In electrical, AI use cases run the gamut, from producing multiple iterations of a design to creating slide decks to present those design options to a client. A common denominator — and a big part of the business case — is that AI does grunt work that otherwise would tie up highly skilled employees.  Key Takeaways:

  • AI enhances productivity by automating repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to focus on complex, high-value activities.
  • Effective AI use requires skilled humans to interpret results, validate outputs, and ensure compliance with standards and codes.
  • Incremental improvements through AI are prioritized over seeking a ‘silver bullet’ solution, fostering continuous enhancement.
  • Cybersecurity considerations are critical when deploying AI tools, with a focus on secure design and safeguarding proprietary information.

How Electrical Firms Are Using AI in Design and Construction | EC&M

The Experience Gap: AI’s Imminent Impact on CX

Companies mastering digital CX are redefining entire industries. They generate 30% more revenue, $1.4 billion on average, than customer-experience laggards. Business leaders are increasingly obsessed with AI’s impact on efficiency. However, new research shows that businesses are often forgetting about the most critical factor: the customer. AI offers the path to emotionally intelligent customer connections that drive lasting competitive advantage. Learn why the winners are winning, how you can leverage AI to deepen emotional connections with customers and what the roadmap for success looks like. Customer experience is at risk. Explore our Experience Gap Report in partnership with The Wall Street Journal to see what 800+ top C-suite are saying: The Experience Gap – Code and Theory

Integrating GenAI in Smart Buildings: Standards, Risks, and Readiness by David G. Weatherly

Generative AI, agentic AI, and digital twins are enabling predictive and adaptive intelligence in smart buildings. Here’s how they can help optimize key functions—plus, security risks to watch out for. Key Highlights:

  • GenAI enables smart buildings to analyze complex datasets, predict patterns, and optimize HVAC, lighting, and safety systems proactively.
  • Digital twins powered by GenAI simulate operational scenarios, support resilience planning, and enhance emergency response capabilities.
  • Successful deployment requires high-capacity networks, low-latency connectivity, and seamless integration of legacy and modern control systems.
  • Security risks increase with AI-driven data exchange; layered cybersecurity measures and governance frameworks are essential to protect infrastructure.
  • Workforce challenges include skill gaps in AI, cybersecurity, and ethical oversight; ongoing training and clear policies are vital for responsible adoption.

Integrating GenAI in Smart Buildings: Standards, Risks, and Readiness | Buildings

How Natural Daylight Elevates Occupants’ Health and Productivity by Neall Digert

Access to daylight benefits not just people’s bodies, but their brains. Here’s why—and what you need to know about human-centric environments that ensure people can enjoy natural light. Key Highlights:

  • Natural daylight triggers serotonin and cortisol production, boosting mood, reducing anxiety, and supporting sleep regulation.
  • Exposure to daylight improves cognitive performance, reduces eye strain, and enhances productivity in workplaces and schools.
  • Maximizing daylight in healthcare settings can shorten hospital stays and promote faster recovery.
  • Daylight stimulates nitric oxide release, improving cardiovascular health and athletic performance.
  • Strategic daylighting design is essential for creating healthier, more productive, and human-centric environments across various sectors.

How Natural Daylight Elevates Occupants’ Health and Productivity | Buildings

LIGHTING PICKS from Electrical Contractor

Subscription – Electrical Contractor Magazine 

Lighting Affects Hospital Workers’ Well-Being by Katie Kuehner-Hebert

LED-to-LED Upgrades: Benefits, rebates and other considerations   by Craig DiLouie

Better Lighting Benefits Workers Returning to the Office   by Lori Lovely

Adhering to a New Code: Notable changes come to California  by Craig DiLouie

DLC Introduces Toolkit to Facilitate Integration of NLCs and HVACs   by Susan DeGrane

Study Identifies Six Opportunities for Energy Savings From Commercial Lighting  by Lori Lovely

 

Humanoid Robots in the Construction Industry: A Future Vision

General-purpose robots could be useful in a range of construction activities, from moving heavy concrete blocks to welding and plumbing. Although these robots come in various forms, humanoids—those that resemble people in size and shape—attract the most attention. Humanoids are still relatively early in development, but they could potentially transform industries if developers and other stakeholders can overcome technological, regulatory, financial, and operational hurdles. Although humanoids are not yet a fixture at construction sites, they represent a potentially transformative solution to the productivity crisis. Their power comes from embodied AI, a technology that enables real-time decision-making. Rather than waiting for full-scale deployment to become a reality, forward-looking construction leaders should begin preparing now for a future in which humanoids and humans work together.Those who prepare now will be best positioned to seize the opportunities ahead. Humanoid robots involved in multiple4 construction sites at: Humanoid robots in the construction industry | McKinsey

6 Defining Manufacturing Trends of 2026 by Bernard Marr

 In 2026, focus is shifting from excitement over what AI can do in manufacturing to a more mature, considered understanding of what human-machine collaboration should look like in practice. Industries that gained first-mover advantage by adopting cognitive, connected processes are developing a deeper awareness of the challenges, complexities and cultural changes created by Industry 4.0. So here are what I believe will be the key trends driving the next phase of the industrial revolution as we head into 2026.  6 Defining Manufacturing Trends Of 2026

  1. Cognitive Industry: The Rise of Industrial AI Agents in Manufacturing & Industry
  2. Generative Design: From Pilot to Production
  3. Industrial Extended Reality
  4. Intelligent Supply Chains
  5. Smart Materials in Manufacturing
  6. Industry 5.0: Human-Centric, Sustainable Automation

The AI Cold War That Will Redefine Everything By Josh Chin and Raffaele Huang

China’s leaders were anxious and frustrated. The world’s most promising new technology was being dominated by OpenAI, Google and other American companies. The U.S. still has a clear lead, producing the most powerful AI models. China can’t match it in advanced chips and has no answer for the financial firepower of private American investors, who funded AI startups to the tune of $104 billion in the first half of 2025, and are gearing up for more. But it has a massive population of capable engineers, lower costs and a state-led development model that often moves faster than the U.S., all of which Beijing is working to harness to tip the contest in its direction. The U.S. still has a clear lead, producing the most powerful AI models. China can’t match it in advanced chips and has no answer for the financial firepower of private American investors, who funded AI startups to the tune of $104 billion in the first half of 2025, and are gearing up for more. But it has a massive population of capable engineers, lower costs and a state-led development model that often moves faster than the U.S., all of which Beijing is working to harness to tip the contest in its direction.  Both countries are driven as much by fear as by hope of progress and believe market share for their companies across the world is up for grabs—and with it, the potential to influence large swaths of the global population. The AI Cold War That Will Redefine Everything – WSJ

BriteSwitch: Rebates Bloom as Horticulture Lighting Market Heats Up

Once limited to research labs and specialized grow rooms, horticulture lighting has become one of the fastest-growing segments in the lighting industry. As technology costs drop and efficiency improves, these systems are now used in greenhouses, vertical farms, floriculture, and even in facilities producing plant-based vaccines. The global market is expanding at roughly 12% per year and is projected to reach $22 billion by 2033, making it one of the brightest opportunities for both lighting manufacturers and rebate-driven projects. Like they did with traditional lighting, LEDs have revolutionized grow lights. With 20 to 45% less energy usage than conventional HID grow lights, they provide a huge opportunity to cut operating costs for growers. The reduced wattage also means less waste heat, which is hugely beneficial to indoor growing operations. In October 2019, the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) created a new standard and Qualified Products List (QPL) specifically for horticulture lighting. Over the years, the DLC has become the de facto standard utilities use to ensure customers install high-quality lighting when applying for incentives.  In 2025, the DLC released version 4.0 of its technical requirements.  55% of the US is covered by an active horticulture lighting rebate; 53% are calculated on a per-fixture basis.  BriteSwitch Can Help You Find and Capture the Rebates:

Rebates Bloom as Horticulture Lighting Market Heats Up

Telling Time – 12-hour time is a very ancient system that traces back to the Mesopotamian empires. They had a cultural fixation with the number 12, used a base-12 numerical system, and divided up most things into 12ths whenever possible – including day and night. The 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night system spread throughout Europe and the Middle East and has defied multiple attempts to change it over the centuries. Also, for anyone curious as to why there was such a love of the number 12, it was because that was how they counted on their hand. Look at your hand. Notice how each of your fingers minus your thumb has three easily identifiable parts to it. They used to count by using their thumb to count each part of the finger, much in the same way we count to 10 using our fingers today. So, 12 was the max you could count on one hand.