Leadership changes hit the xAI team training Grok, and some employees have been asked to explain their work

"A leadership shakeup is brewing within xAI's data annotation team. At least nine high-level employees appear to no longer be with the team. Their Slack accounts were deactivated over the weekend, according to screenshots seen by Business Insider. The employees worked on the human data management team, which oversees the AI tutors who train Grok. Previously, the managerial ranks included around a dozen people, according to a review of LinkedIn profiles and workers with knowledge of the team."

"The company has also been scheduling one-on-one meetings with some employees, four workers said. In the meetings, workers have been asked to present their work and how they've added value to the company, the people said. One worker told Business Insider that the meetings have created a "sense of panic." Unlike most AI companies, which often use third-party employment agencies, xAI hires many of its US tutors directly. This can provide the company with more control and privacy; it can also be more expensive."

xAI's data annotation team is experiencing a leadership shakeup after at least nine high-level employees no longer appear to be with the team, and several Slack accounts were deactivated over the weekend. The affected staff were part of the human data management unit that oversees AI tutors training Grok. The team includes more than 1,500 contract and full-time staff, many serving as AI tutors. The company has scheduled one-on-one meetings asking employees to present their work and demonstrate value, producing anxiety among workers. xAI hires many US tutors directly and briefly outsourced work to Scale AI earlier this year.

Read at Business Insider