Departure comes day after AI chatbot Grok made offensive comments, sparking global backlash
X CEO Linda Yaccarino announced Wednesday she would step down from her role in the social media platform, a day after the company’s AI chatbot Grok made offensive comments that sparked global backlash.
“After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down as CEO of X,” Yaccarino said on X.
The 61-year-old media executive, who assumed the CEO role in 2023, credited Elon Musk with providing her “the opportunity of a lifetime” to lead the company’s transformation.
Grok controversy precedes announcement
Yaccarino’s departure follows Tuesday’s incident when X’s AI chatbot Grok published offensive content across the platform. The company acknowledged the problem Wednesday, stating it was “actively working to remove the inappropriate posts.”
There is no immediate concrete link between Yaccarino’s decision and the Grok incident.
In her farewell message, Yaccarino highlighted the company’s business turnaround and safety improvements during her leadership.
“We started with the critical early work necessary to prioritize the safety of our users—especially children, and to restore advertiser confidence,” she wrote.
Yaccarino indicated X would enter “a new chapter with xAI” following her departure. — AA
