BUSINESS

X's Top Boss Steps Down After Bumpy Ride

New York, USAWed Jul 09 2025

Departure Details

  • Role: CEO of X (formerly Twitter)
  • Departure: Follows a series of challenges, including issues with AI chatbot Grok
  • Criticism: Grok criticized for spreading harmful content
  • Future Role: Unclear after Musk sold X to xAI

Background

  • Tenure: Took over in 2023
  • Goal: Revive advertising business post-Musk's controversial changes
  • Challenges: Ongoing PR crises, concerns over hate speech and misinformation
  • Advertisers: Some pulled spending despite efforts to improve brand safety

Grok's Integration

  • Issues: AI chatbot criticized for inaccurate and offensive responses
  • Incidents: Including antisemitic tropes
  • Company Response: Steps taken to address issues, but questions remain

Musk's Involvement

  • Role: Self-proclaimed Chief Technology Officer
  • Interventions: Frequent policy decisions undermining Yaccarino's authority
  • Dynamic: Challenging management environment

Platform Developments

  • New Features: On-platform video podcasts and financial tools
  • Impact: Did not significantly boost user base
  • Vision: "Everything app" remains unfulfilled

Broader Context

  • Timing: Amid tumultuous times for Musk's businesses
  • Tesla: Several high-level exits
  • Political Involvement: Recent feud with former President Donald Trump

questions

    What if Grok the chatbot started giving financial advice like 'Invest in memes, they're the future'?
    If X were an 'Everything App,' would it include a feature to automatically block Elon Musk's tweets?
    How did the integration of xAI's Grok chatbot affect the platform's reputation and user trust?

actions