xAI loses half its cofounders, OpenAI accused of violating CA AI safety law & fires exec over "adult mode" + 40 more stories (11 Feb 2026 recap)
Massive AI drama unfolds as key leaders exit and regulators circle.
Deep Dive
Elon Musk's xAI lost its second cofounder in 48 hours, with half its original 12 founders now gone amid IPO prep. OpenAI fired a VP who opposed a planned ChatGPT 'adult mode' feature and faces accusations from watchdog Midas Project of violating California's new AI safety law (SB 53) with its high-risk GPT-5.3-Codex model, potentially incurring millions in fines in a precedent-setting case.
Why It Matters
The leadership exodus and legal challenges threaten the stability and regulatory standing of two major AI players.