Two additional xAI co-founders are part of those departing following the SpaceX merger.

Following the xAI-SpaceX merger revealed last week, which unified the two firms (along with the social media site X) for a stated $1.25 trillion valuation — the largest merger in history — a number of xAI staffers and two of its co-founders have swiftly left the firm, issuing lengthy farewell notes online. Some also proclaimed that they were launching their own AI ventures.

Co-founder Yuhai (Tony) Wu declared his exit on X, stating that it was “time for [his] next phase.” Jimmy Ba, another co-founder, shared a similar sentiment later that day, mentioning it was “time to adjust [his] focus on the bigger picture.” The departures imply that xAI is now down to only six of its initial twelve co-founders remaining.

These events follow shifting visions for the future of the merged corporations, which Elon Musk recently stated would include “space-based AI” data centers and vertical integration covering “AI, rockets, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile communications, and the leading real-time information and free speech platform.” Musk reportedly also mentioned ambitions to create an AI satellite production facility and settlement on the moon during an internal xAI discussion.

Musk announced on X Wednesday that “xAI was restructured recently to enhance execution speed” and asserted that the process “unfortunately necessitated parting ways with some individuals,” then encouraged more candidates to apply to work for the company. He also shared a recording of xAI’s 45-minute internal all-hands meeting that disclosed the adjustments.

“We’re reorganizing the company to be more efficient at this scale,” Musk commented during the meeting. He elaborated that the organization will now be structured around four primary application sectors: Grok Main and Voice, Coding, Imagine (image and video), and Macrohard (“which aims to achieve full digital simulation of entire companies,” Musk reported).