xAI, the artificial intelligence startup founded by Elon Musk, has lost another top executive. Chief Financial Officer Mike Liberatore departed the company in late July, according to reports. This is the latest in a series of high-profile exits at the firm.
Liberatore, a former Airbnb executive, joined xAI in April. During his short tenure, he played a key role in raising $5 billion in debt and another $5 billion in equity, with nearly half contributed by Musk’s SpaceX. He also oversaw parts of xAI’s data center expansion in Memphis.
The CFO’s exit follows other senior departures. In August, xAI’s general counsel Robert Keele and senior lawyer Raghu Rao left. Co-founder Igor Babuschkin also exited last month to start a venture capital firm focusing on AI safety. Earlier in July, Linda Yaccarino, former CEO of X (formerly Twitter), resigned over concerns related to Grok, xAI’s AI chatbot integrated with X.
These resignations raise questions about stability within xAI. The company, launched in 2023, aims to develop “truth-seeking” AI as an alternative to OpenAI and Google products. While xAI plans ambitious expansions, including scaling Grok and building massive data centers, leadership turnover could slow progress at a crucial stage.
Despite the executive changes, Elon Musk remains committed to xAI’s long-term vision. Analysts suggest that retaining top talent and establishing stable leadership are vital for the startup to maintain its growth and competitiveness in the AI sector.
xAI’s recent executive departures highlight the challenges AI startups face in managing rapid growth while maintaining a strong leadership structure. Observers will closely watch whether xAI can stabilize its team and continue its mission to innovate in artificial intelligence.
In other related news also read Microsoft Taps xAI’s Grok Amid AI Trust Concerns
