WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: SpaceX Set to Develop Satellites in $2 Billion Pentagon Deal

Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Zoe Culkin, Wall Street Journal

Episode Overview

This episode of the WSJ Tech News Briefing delivers a fast-paced roundup of significant tech industry stories. The episode covers an exclusive on SpaceX’s multi-billion Pentagon contract to develop advanced satellite networks, Nvidia’s latest AI expansion in South Korea, and Google’s foray into fully AI-generated advertising. The briefing focuses on the increasing interplay between tech giants, government, and next-gen innovation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SpaceX’s $2 Billion Pentagon Satellite Deal

(00:33)

• Main scoop: SpaceX is expected to receive a $2 billion contract to develop satellites for tracking missiles and aircraft as part of President Trump’s “Golden Dome” defense project.

• Expanded role:

  • SpaceX is also anticipated to contribute to other Pentagon networks, including:
    • “milnet,” a relay for highly sensitive military communications.
    • Satellite systems designed to track vehicles on the ground.

• Official comment:

  • Pentagon officials declined to confirm SpaceX’s involvement.
  • SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment.

  Quote at 00:40 (Zoe Culkin):

  “SpaceX is expected to play a major role in two other Pentagon satellite networks, as well as one called milnet that would relay sensitive military communications and another that involved satellites capable of tracking vehicles on the ground.”

2. Nvidia’s Major AI Push in South Korea

(01:23)

• Partnerships: Nvidia has entered multiple agreements with top South Korean firms, including:

  • Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor.
  • The partnerships will result in over 250,000 Nvidia chips being deployed nationwide.

• Projects:

  • Hyundai will use Nvidia AI for:
    • Autonomous vehicles
    • Smart factories
    • Robotics
    • AI data centers
  • Samsung’s “mega factory” will integrate more than 50,000 Nvidia GPUs.

• Financials & strategy:

  • Exact financial terms and location of the factory remain undisclosed.
  • This batch of deals aligns with South Korea’s government objective to ramp up AI capabilities.
  • Nvidia’s continuing deal streak recently boosted its market cap above $5 trillion—a first for any company.

  Quote at 01:50 (Zoe Culkin):

  “The batch of partnerships is part of the South Korean government’s push to build out its AI capacity and continues a deal-making streak from Nvidia that helped it become the first $5 trillion company earlier this week.”

3. Google’s First AI-Generated Commercial

(02:08)

• Announcement: Google has released its first fully AI-generated ad.

• Creative concept:

  • The ad spotlights a plush, toy turkey using “AI mode” in Google Search to flee a farm seeking a destination that doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving.

• Company position:

  • Robert Huang, co-founder and VP at Google Creative Lab, emphasizes that not all ads will go fully AI—but the technology will be a common creative tool, similar to Photoshop.

  Quote at 02:17 (Zoe Culkin):

  “Robert Huang, co-founder and a VP of Google Creative Lab, said the company doesn’t plan on making every ad with AI, but it will become a common tool, much like Photoshop.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On quantum potential (00:06):
  Katie Pizzolato, Vice President, IBM Quantum Platform:

  “I’m most excited about the potential applications we don’t know yet… But we know that quantum computers are poised to accelerate time and cost efficiencies in really important fields like drug development, materials discovery, optimization—things that impact all industries.”

• On AI in business (end, 02:29):
  (IBM promotional, not content-related)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:06 – Katie Pizzolato on future quantum computing possibilities
• 00:33 – SpaceX’s $2B Pentagon contract and related satellite projects
• 01:23 – Nvidia’s massive AI deals in South Korea
• 02:08 – Google’s launch of its first fully AI-generated commercial

Summary:
This Tech Minute delivers exclusive scoops on SpaceX’s multibillion-dollar role in U.S. defense satellite programs, Nvidia's sweeping AI expansion across South Korea, and Google’s leap into AI-powered advertising. The episode captures the continued fusion of technological innovation, corporate ambition, and global policy in shaping tomorrow’s tech landscape.