Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is under fire for requiring its employees to install software that monitors their work activities in real-time. This move is being viewed as an extension of the high-pressure work culture and strict control tactics already seen at other Musk-owned companies.
Business Insider reported that xAI had mandated that engineers working on the AI chatbot Grok install a monitoring program called Hubstaff as a condition of employment.
Hubstaff is software that tracks employees’ computer usage during work hours, including capturing screenshots and monitoring keyboard and mouse activity. What has raised even more eyebrows is that employees without company-provided equipment were required to install the software on their personal computers.
xAI has defended the decision, claiming that the software was introduced to improve work efficiency and that it only operates during working hours. However, employees have voiced strong opposition, calling it an invasion of privacy.
On the internal communication platform Slack, one employee criticized the policy, writing, “This is surveillance disguised as productivity and manipulation disguised as culture.” The post quickly gained traction, with dozens of colleagues expressing their agreement, and one employee even announced their intention to resign.
A Pattern of Control at Musk’s Companies
This is not the first time Musk’s companies have faced scrutiny over their controlling workplace culture. In February, xAI engineer Benjamin De Kraker found himself in a similar situation when he shared AI model performance rankings on X. He had posted his personal opinion that OpenAI’s model outperformed xAI’s Grok 3. The company, however, considered this a breach of confidentiality and demanded that he take down the post. In response, De Kraker left the company.
The incident was especially contentious because Elon Musk had already publicly revealed the development of Grok 3, leading many to argue that the company was attempting to control employees’ evaluations. This raised concerns about the level of oversight at xAI and echoed similar issues at Musk’s other ventures.
Shortly after acquiring X in 2022, Musk sent late-night emails to employees warning them that if they were unwilling to work long hours under high pressure, they should leave the company. Last year, he also required X employees to submit one-page personal contribution reports, which would be used to determine compensation, including stock options. This policy sparked further controversy, as it raised questions about the company’s approach to employee evaluation and its commitment to fairness.
The latest controversy surrounding xAI’s mandatory surveillance software reflects a broader contradiction. While the company promotes itself as a leader in cutting-edge AI technology, internally, it continues to embrace outdated and invasive methods of employee control. This disconnect has led to growing concerns about whether a culture of excessive oversight is hindering the creativity and innovation that Musk’s companies are known for.
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