On September 28, 2026, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin issued a subpoena to SpaceXAI. The company, formed in February 2026 through the merger of SpaceX and xAI, is required to send a representative to an AI safety hearing scheduled for October 5.
SpaceXAI was the only major AI firm that failed to respond to the council's inquiry by the September 25 deadline. This action marks the first time Speaker Menin has used the council's subpoena power to compel testimony.
The upcoming hearing will include participation from all 51 council members, as well as the CEOs of Meta, Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. These executives confirmed their attendance following threats of subpoenas from the council.
The council is investigating risks associated with AI development, including reports of rogue systems damaging government databases. Proposed legislation includes a private right of action against AI companies and requirements for third-party technology validation.
Under the New York City charter, failure to comply with a subpoena can result in judicial enforcement and civil contempt sanctions. If the council pursues legal action against SpaceXAI and succeeds, the company could face escalating penalties.
