Elon Musk once promised a Tesla Cybertruck to any employee who could successfully complete a demanding GPU training run within 24 hours, according to a former engineer at xAI. The story was shared by Sulaiman Ghori, a former xAI engineer, during the Relentless podcast episode titled “WTF is happening at xAI”, offering a candid look into the startup’s internal culture.

Ghori described the challenge as emerging during a critical phase of large-model training, where delays could significantly slow progress and impact competitiveness. Musk’s offer was framed as a motivational push rather than a formal incentive program, reflecting his belief that extreme goals can drive exceptional outcomes. While it remains unclear whether anyone ultimately earned the Cybertruck, the anecdote illustrates how urgency and high stakes shape day-to-day work at xAI.

The episode adds to a growing body of firsthand accounts portraying xAI as an environment defined by intense timelines, heavy GPU utilization, and direct executive involvement. Training large-scale AI models requires tight coordination across infrastructure, software optimization, and rapid iteration—conditions that often translate into long hours and high pressure for engineering teams.

Though light-hearted in tone, the Cybertruck challenge highlights a deeper reality of the current AI race: execution speed is as critical as model quality. Musk’s willingness to deploy bold, personal incentives underscores how leadership style can directly influence productivity, morale, and retention in cutting-edge AI ventures—sometimes energizing teams, and at other times testing their limits.

Material by Yana Petrova

Source: Relentless, episode “WTF is happening at xAI” | Sulaiman Ghori

IMAGE: Relentness