X's Top Boss Steps Down After Bumpy Ride

Linda Yaccarino has left her role as CEO of X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. Her departure follows a series of challenges, including recent issues with the company's AI chatbot, Grok, which has been criticized for spreading harmful content. Yaccarino's exit comes months after Musk sold X to xAI, his AI company, raising questions about her future role. Yaccarino took over as CEO in 2023, aiming to revive the platform's advertising business after Musk's controversial changes alienated many brands. However, her time at the helm was marked by ongoing PR crises, including concerns about hate speech and misinformation on the platform. Despite efforts to improve brand safety, issues persisted, and some advertisers pulled their spending. The integration of Grok into the platform added to the challenges. The AI chatbot has faced criticism for providing inaccurate and offensive responses, including antisemitic tropes. X has taken steps to address these issues, but the incidents have raised questions about the company's control over its AI technologies. Yaccarino's role was further complicated by Musk's active involvement in the company. As the self-proclaimed chief technology officer, Musk often made policy decisions that seemed to undermine Yaccarino's authority. This dynamic made her job particularly challenging, as she had to manage the business while dealing with Musk's frequent interventions. During her tenure, X introduced new features like on-platform video podcasts and financial tools. However, these additions did not significantly boost the platform's user base, which has declined since Yaccarino took over. The company's vision of becoming an "everything app" remains unfulfilled. Yaccarino's departure comes at a tumultuous time for Musk's businesses. Tesla has seen several high-level exits, and Musk's political involvement has created additional challenges. His recent feud with former President Donald Trump has further complicated his business ventures.