UAE Minister of Cupboard Affairs Mohammad al-Gergawi (L-on stage) speaks with Elon Musk attending the World Authorities Summit nearly in Dubai on February 15, 2023. Musk indicated that he’s aiming to search out somebody to succeed him as Twitter CEO by the tip of 2023.
Karim Sahib | AFP | Getty Photographs
Elon Musk mentioned Wednesday that he would possibly be capable of appoint his successor as Twitter CEO by the tip of 2023 however first must “stabilize” his social media firm.
“I believe I have to stabilize the group and simply ensure that it is in a financially wholesome place and that the product roadmap is clearly laid out,” Musk mentioned on the World Authorities Summit in Dubai.
“I am guessing in all probability in direction of the tip of this yr must be good timing to search out another person to run the corporate as a result of I believe it must be in a steady place across the finish of this yr.”
Musk took over as CEO of Twitter in October as a part of his $44 billion acquisition of the social media agency.
The billionaire indicated late final yr that he would not count on to be the CEO of Twitter completely and ultimately will hand over the reins to another person.
In December, Musk tweeted a ballot asking folks whether or not he ought to step down as the top of Twitter. Nearly all of the 17.5 million votes mentioned sure.
“I’ll resign as CEO as quickly as I discover somebody silly sufficient to take the job! After that, I’ll simply run the software program & servers groups,” Musk tweeted after the ballot.
Why Musk purchased Twitter
Musk spoke in regards to the considering behind the acquisition versus constructing his personal social media firm.
“I considered creating one thing from scratch, however I assumed Twitter would maybe speed up progress versus creating one thing from scratch by three to 5 years,” Musk mentioned. “And I believe we’re seeing only a super know-how acceleration that three to 5 years is definitely price loads.”
Musk spoke about his motivations for the Twitter buyout, saying he was “a bit of frightened in regards to the route and the impact of social media on the world, and particularly Twitter.”
“I assumed it was crucial for there to be a maximally trusted type of digital public sq., the place folks inside international locations and internationally might talk with the least quantity of censorship allowed by legislation. Clearly that varies loads by jurisdiction.”
His feedback echo ones he has revamped the previous few years. He has labeled himself a “free speech absolutist.”
Musk mentioned on Wednesday, nonetheless, that social media corporations “ought to adhere to the legal guidelines of different international locations and never attempt to put a thumb on the dimensions past the legal guidelines of nations.” He accused Twitter of imposing the “values” of San Francisco and the close by College of California, Berkeley, which he described as a “area of interest ideology,” in the way in which it ran its enterprise.
“I assumed it was necessary, form of, for the way forward for civilization to attempt to appropriate that thumb on the dimensions,” Musk mentioned, describing his motivations behind shopping for Twitter.
Musk has confronted criticism for, on the one hand, advocating free speech whereas additionally complying with censorship legal guidelines in international locations, a high quality line he’s making an attempt to stroll, as mirrored in his feedback.
The most recent controversy centered round a BBC documentary that was vital of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian authorities final month ordered web platforms and social media corporations, together with Twitter, to dam hyperlinks and movies of the documentary. Twitter appeared to adjust to the order, in response to NBC Information.
Musk replied to a person in January asking if it was true that Twitter complied with the Indian authorities’s orders.
“First I’ve heard. It isn’t potential for me to repair each side of Twitter worldwide in a single day, whereas nonetheless working Tesla and SpaceX, amongst different issues,” Musk replied.