Elon Musk, the SpaceX boss, is noted for his favour of the "Kardashev scale", a concept in tech. This scale, invented by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964, provides a rubric to measure a civilisation's success based on its energy harnessing capabilities.
Musk has suggested that a natural implementation of Kardashev's ideas would involve developing space infrastructure. This includes moving energy production "off-planet" and establishing orbital datacentres, potentially by launching millions of units into orbit to capture solar energy.
According to Kardashev's measurements, humanity has not yet reached "type I" on the scale, as it cannot control the weather or fully harness the energy of the sun.