Two co-founders leave xAI after merger with SpaceX



After SpaceX, whose CEO is Elon Musk, acquired xAI, it was revealed that two of the company's co-founders left the company.

Two more xAI co-founders are among those leaving after the SpaceX merger | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/877609/two-more-xai-co-founders-are-among-those-leaving-after-the-spacex-merger

Musk's xAI loses second co-founder in two days as Jimmy Ba departs
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/10/musks-xai-loses-second-co-founder-in-two-days-as-jimmy-ba-departs.html

Jimmy Ba and Tony Wu latest tech co-founders to exit Musk's xAI
https://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/xai-co-founders-jimmy-ba-tony-wu-depart-after-spacex-acquisition-elon-musk

Musk's dream of building an AI data center in space has come one step closer to reality with the acquisition of AI company xAI by SpaceX, a highly publicized merger that is expected to value the combined company at $1.25 trillion.

Elon Musk's SpaceX officially acquires xAI - GIGAZINE



Since the announcement, two of xAI's co-founders have abruptly left the company and posted their resignations online.

Co-founder Yuhai (Tony) Wu announced his retirement at xAI, saying, 'This company and the family we built will forever remain in my heart. I will fondly remember my colleagues, our war room, and all the battles we fought together. The next chapter begins -- a time of possibility. Small teams, powered by AI, can move mountains and redefine what's possible. Thank you to the xAI family, we move forward. And to Elon, thank you for believing in your mission and taking me on the journey of a lifetime.'




Another co-founder, Jimmy Ba, posted a similar message later that day, saying, 'xAI's mission is to push humanity to the top of the Kardashev scale . I am incredibly grateful to have been able to co-found the company from the very beginning. And thank you, Elon, for letting me join you on this incredible journey. I am incredibly proud of the xAI team's achievements and look forward to continuing to walk this path with them as a friend. Thank you to everyone who has continued to work hard with us. The true treasure of this place is our colleagues and friendships.'




Ba and Wu both attended the University of Toronto, and Wu worked as a research scientist intern at OpenAI and as a research scientist at Google before co-founding xAI in 2023. Ba is recognized for his key research that influenced the company's Grok version 4.

xAI co-founders who have left the company to date include Kyle Kosik (2024), Igor Babushkin (2025), Kristian Szegedy (2025), and Greg Yang (2026).

With these departures, xAI now has only half of its original 12 co-founders remaining. Musk has revealed plans to pursue vertical integration, including a 'space-based AI data center,' 'AI, rockets, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile communications, and the world's leading real-time information and free speech platform,' and has reportedly discussed plans to build an AI satellite factory and a lunar city during an internal meeting.

Musk also commented on his departure, saying, 'xAI underwent a restructuring a few days ago to improve the speed at which we execute our work. As a company grows, especially one that grows as rapidly as xAI, organizational structures, like any living organism, must evolve. Sadly, we have to say goodbye to some people, but I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.'




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