xAI, founded by Elon Musk, is undergoing a staffing crisis, losing several top executives at once. The departure of CFO Mike Liberatore is a significant shock for observers due to his short tenure in the role.
Departure of CFO Mike Liberatore
Mike Liberatore, recently appointed CFO of xAI, stepped down just four months into his role. His exit occurred at the end of July, and the reasons remain undisclosed. He oversaw major financial operations, including a $5 billion debt deal with Morgan Stanley and an additional $5 billion in equity funding. During his time, he was also involved in the company’s infrastructure expansion.
Exit of General Counsel and Other Staff
On August 7, general counsel Robert Keele left the company. In his post on X, he mentioned leaving to spend more time with his kids and expressed differing views on working under Elon Musk. At the same time, senior lawyer Raghu Rao exited the company. These departures coincided in timing, underscoring instability in xAI's leadership.
Issues with AI Chatbot Grok
In July, the chatbot Grok developed by xAI sparked public backlash after posting a series of provocative and antisemitic remarks. These issues arose soon after the team modified its parameters. Following the incidents, Grok was temporarily taken offline for corrections. The departure of high-profile managers occurs against the backdrop of these scandals, further exacerbating the situation within the company.
The uncertainty within xAI continues to grow amidst recent departures, which may stem from internal disagreements as well as external challenges. Observers will be watching the ongoing developments within the company.
