Senior engineers, including co-founders, exit xAI amid controversy | TechCrunch

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In the past week, nine engineers, including two co-founders, have publicly left xAI, signaling potential instability within the company. While some departures were noted earlier, the recent wave raises concerns about the firm's direction and talent retention. This trend could impact ongoing projects and investor confidence.
Multiple Senior Engineers Depart xAI Amid Controversy
At least nine engineers, including co-founders Igor Babuschkin and Greg Yang, have announced their exit from xAI within the past week, amid ongoing controversies surrounding the artificial intelligence firm.
Reports indicate that employee morale has been affected by internal disagreements over the company's direction and product strategy. Sources suggest dissatisfaction with leadership and strategic vision influenced the decision to leave.
The recent departures follow public statements from CEO Elon Musk that have drawn criticism and sparked debate within the tech community, particularly regarding the company's approach to ethical considerations in AI development.
Employee sentiment at xAI has become increasingly tense, with former employees expressing frustrations about communication and company culture on social media. The situation raises questions about xAI's ability to retain talent in the competitive AI landscape.
The remaining leadership at xAI faces the challenge of addressing these departures and restoring confidence among employees, with no formal statement issued regarding the exits or future plans.
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📰 Original Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/11/senior-engineers-including-co-founders-exit-xai-amid-controversy/
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