What’s behind the mass exodus at xAI?
The Verge
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The recent wave of departures at xAI has left the company in a state of flux, with cofounders and key staff leaving en masse. Over just two days, cofounders Yuhuai (Tony) Wu and Jimmy Ba announced their exits, with Wu stating it was time for his "next chapter" and Ba expressing a need to "recalibrate [his] gradient on the big picture." These departures leave xAI with only half of its original 12 cofounders still in their roles. Additionally, several staffers have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to announce their exits, with some opting to start their own AI companies. This mass exodus marks a significant shift in the leadership and direction of one of the most closely watched AI research labs.
The reasons behind these departures appear to be multifaceted. For Wu and Ba, it seems personal career shifts and a desire for new challenges are driving their decisions. Meanwhile, other staffers leaving xAI are leveraging the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in the AI space, reflecting a broader trend of tech talent exploring independent opportunities. The timing of these departures also coincides with increased scrutiny on xAI's operations, particularly under Elon Musk's leadership. While Musk's role at x
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Originally published on The Verge on 2/13/2026