X’s director of engineering, Haofei Wang, has unexpectedly left the company, according to insider sources. Wang joined X in July 2023 and quickly became a key leader, bridging communication between Elon Musk and engineers. His departure raises questions about X’s engineering direction, especially as Musk shifts focus to xAI and other ventures. Neither Wang nor X provided comments on the exit.
Wang’s Role and Leadership at X
Wang was instrumental in X’s engineering and product development, often acting as the de facto head. His leadership was crucial as Musk increasingly diverted attention to xAI and political activities. Wang’s sudden exit leaves a gap in X’s technical leadership. The company has not announced a replacement, sparking speculation about internal restructuring. His departure coincides with Musk’s reduced involvement in X’s day-to-day operations.
New Engineering Leadership Joins X
In January, X brought in Mike Dalton and Uday Ruddaraju, former Robinhood technical leads, to bolster engineering leadership. Their LinkedIn profiles reveal dual roles at X and xAI, highlighting the growing overlap between the two companies. Their hiring suggests X is reinforcing its technical team amid Musk’s divided focus. However, Wang’s exit may disrupt ongoing projects, including X’s ambitious financial services plans.
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Musk’s Shifting Priorities and X’s Future
Elon Musk’s attention has increasingly shifted toward xAI and political campaigning, leaving X’s leadership fragmented. Despite this, X’s valuation reportedly rebounded to $44 billion, matching Musk’s 2022 acquisition price. Musk remains active on X but spends less time on company operations. This divided focus raises concerns about X’s ability to execute its “everything app” vision, including the delayed X Money platform.
X’s Unfulfilled “Everything App” Ambitions
Musk initially promised to transform X into a WeChat-like super app handling payments, messaging, and more. Internal meetings revealed ambitions for X to manage users’ financial lives by 2024, but progress has stalled. Sources indicate the X Money payments system is still in development, with a potential late 2024 launch. Wang’s departure may further delay these plans, leaving X’s future uncertain.
What’s Next for X?
With Wang gone and Musk’s attention elsewhere, X faces leadership challenges. The addition of Dalton and Ruddaraju may stabilize engineering efforts, but Wang’s exit signals potential turmoil. As xAI and X become more intertwined, the company’s direction remains unclear. Will X achieve its super app goals, or will Musk’s distractions hinder its progress? Observers await further developments.
