“The thing I self-identify with [being a computer programmer] is, like, being obviated by this technology. So it’s like, the reason why I think these tools are being embraced so quickly is they truly are like an Iron Man suit for all of us as individuals,” he said.
He added this era of early AI development will later be seen as “an inflection point in society and technology,” and just as important as the invention of the internet was in the 20th century.
Because of AI’s productivity-boosting abilities, Taylor has made sure to incorporate it heavily in his own startup, Sierra, which he cofounded in 2023. He noted that it’s doubtful an employee is being as productive as they could be if they’re not using AI tools.
“You want people to sort of adopt these tools because they want to, and you sort of need to … ‘voluntell’ them to do it, too. You know, it’s like, ‘I don’t think we can succeed as a company if we’re not the poster child for automation and everything that we do,’” he said.
AI isn’t just software, Taylor said, and he believes the technology will upend the internet and beyond. While he’s optimistic about an AI future, Taylor noted the deep changes posed by the tech may take some getting used to, especially for the people whose jobs are being upended by AI, which includes computer programmers like himself.
“You’re going to have this period of transition where it’s saying, like, ‘How I’ve come to identify my own worth, either as a person or as an employee, has been disrupted.’ That’s very uncomfortable. And that transition isn’t always easy,” he said.
