xAI founding member describes 'grind' to get first Grok model out: 'No drugs, not even caffeine, just pure adrenaline'
Business Insider
March 4, 2026
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Toby Pohlen, a founding member of Elon Musk's xAI company, shared insights into the intense work culture at xAI, describing it as "grinding with purpose." During the release of Grok, xAI's first large language model in 2023, Pohlen recalled a grueling 36-hour period where the team worked non-stop, relying solely on adrenaline to meet Musk's demand for an "extremely hardcore" effort. Despite starting with a basic model and limited UI, the team achieved remarkable progress, moving from obscurity to relevance in just two days. This experience highlights the power of focused, purpose-driven work in high-stakes environments.
Pohlen emphasized that while xAI's culture is known for its extreme demands—like 36-hour shifts and bets on productivity—it should never be performative. He warned against sacrificing without cause, advising companies to ensure their grind aligns with clear goals and meaningful progress. Drawing from his own departure from xAI in February, Pohlen expressed relief at the prospect of sleeping more than eight hours for the first time, signaling a shift away from unsustainable intensity.
The article underscores the broader debate about Silicon Valley's work culture, where critics often question whether extreme work ethics are justified or merely performative. Pohlen's perspective offers a balanced view: while hardcore engineering cultures can drive real progress, they must avoid conflating pain with productivity. His lessons for businesses include fostering clarity of purpose, maintaining motivation, and ensuring that intensity serves genuine goals rather than ego or optics.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 3/4/2026