xAI stops hiring Grok trainers, may change AI strategy

According to Bloomberg, Elon Musk's xAI has stopped hiring people to train Grok. Grok was learning many professional skills, so this move might mean xAI is changing how it develops AI.

Since early this year, xAI was hiring accountants, finance experts, scientists, and even comedians to make Grok better at taxes, finance, science, and humor. Unlike many rivals, xAI tried to directly hire people with professional backgrounds as "AI tutors" instead of using third-party contractors.

Some insiders say the hiring pause is partly because the HR team is overwhelmed and can't process new candidates fast enough. The data team has also been unstable, with layoffs last fall and again in March.

Four months after merging with SpaceX, xAI is rebuilding its operations and boosting revenue for SpaceX's Wall Street debut. As part of this, xAI is trying to hire bankers and credit professionals to make Grok better at finance.