xAI's Legal Chief Robert Keele Resigns After Eventful Year

Robert Keele, who served as the first head of legal at xAI, has announced his resignation after just over a year in the role. Keele, who joined the AI startup in May 2024, stated that he is stepping down to spend more quality time with his young children. In his public announcement shared on both X and LinkedIn, Keele remarked, “I love my two toddlers and I don’t get to see them enough.”

Beyond family reasons, Keele also referenced some differences in perspective with xAI founder Elon Musk, noting “daylight between our worldviews.” Despite these differences, he described his time at xAI as “incredible” and working with Musk as “the adventure of a lifetime.” Keele candidly admitted, “I couldn’t keep riding two horses at once — the family and the job.”

Upon joining xAI, Keele had just wrapped up his brief entrepreneurial venture, Keele Law, which lasted only a few weeks. He quickly pivoted to xAI, drawn by the opportunity to lead legal operations at one of the most ambitious AI companies globally. His tenure coincided with a period of rapid growth for xAI, including a landmark $6 billion Series B funding round and the high-profile acquisition of X (formerly Twitter), which saw xAI’s valuation soar to $80 billion.

The legal team will now be led by Lily Lim, who brings a unique background as both a former NASA rocket scientist and a seasoned privacy and IP law specialist. Lim joined xAI in late 2024 and previously worked with leading tech companies and law firms. Her experience is expected to guide the company through its next phase of expansion and regulatory challenges.

Keele’s departure is part of a larger trend of executive turnover across Elon Musk’s business ventures. Recently, X CEO Linda Yaccarino also stepped down, while Tesla has seen several top executives leave. Musk is known for his demanding work culture, often expecting long hours from employees to keep up with his fast-paced vision.

This executive churn highlights the intense pressures faced by leaders at high-growth tech companies, particularly those operating in the competitive AI landscape. xAI’s ongoing expansion and high-profile backers keep the company firmly in the spotlight as it continues to shape the future of artificial intelligence technology.

References

• "I love my two toddlers and I don’t get to see them enough," Keele wrote, posting the news on both X and LinkedIn.
• “Keele also acknowledged 'daylight between our worldviews' with boss Elon Musk, who hasn’t commented on Keele’s exit.”
• "X CEO Linda Yaccarino left last month."
• "Musk — who also has numerous longstanding lieutenants — openly expects employees to work long hours, even if it means sleeping at the office."