Elon Musk promised a free Tesla Cybertruck to an xAI engineer who could complete a GPU training run within 24 hours, and the engineer succeeded. The story, shared by former xAI staffer Sulaiman Ghori, highlights Musk's emphasis on rapid execution at his companies. This incentive underscores the high-stakes culture at xAI, where speed is paramount.
Elon Musk, the CEO of xAI and Tesla, offered a free Cybertruck as a wager to one of his engineers during the setup of new GPU racks at xAI. According to Sulaiman Ghori, a former technical staff member, Musk said, "OK, you can get a Cybertruck tonight if you can get a training run on these GPUs in 24 hours." The engineer, referred to only as Tyler, met the challenge, and Ghori now sees the Cybertruck parked outside the xAI office from his lunch window.
Ghori shared this anecdote on the "Relentless" podcast, revealing insights into xAI's fast-paced environment. He described a flat organizational structure with just three levels: individual contributors, cofounders, and Musk himself. "No one tells me 'no,'" Ghori noted, explaining that good ideas can be pursued immediately and presented to Musk or customers the same day. Projects lack formal due dates; instead, "It's always yesterday."
Ghori joined xAI after years as a startup founder and found little initial guidance. On his first day, he received only a laptop and a badge, with no assigned team or desk. He quickly connected with cofounder Greg Yang and began working on the Ask Grok feature for X.
This is not Musk's first such bet. Nearly two decades ago, he wagered against a SpaceX employee, offering a frozen yogurt machine that the team ultimately enjoyed. More recently, in March, Musk promised a Cybertruck to anyone uncovering the source of a social media campaign by Democratic senators. Ghori announced his departure from xAI four days after the podcast, expressing affection for his former colleagues on X.
The incident reflects Musk's approach to motivation, where employees often accept lower salaries in favor of stock grants, betting on the company's growth. xAI's culture prioritizes efficiency and innovation, with heavy investments in GPU infrastructure to advance AI development.
