Elon Musk’s xAI co-founder Igor Babuschkin leaves amid controversy
Igor Babuschkin, a key figure in the founding of xAI alongside Elon Musk, has departed the company less than three years after its launch. Babuschkin, who helped lead AI development at xAI, exits following internal tensions and a string of controversies that have affected the startup’s public image. His departure comes at a critical time, as xAI aims to compete with major players like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. The reasons for his exit were not officially disclosed, but reports point to a breakdown in leadership dynamics and public scrutiny over company culture.
Leadership changes at top AI firms can disrupt momentum and investor confidence — a critical moment for xAI as it seeks to solidify its position in the generative AI race.
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