Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced the termination of engineers who failed to adopt AI programming tools. The company is intensifying its AI efforts.
Terminations for Refusing AI
In a recent appearance on the Cheeky Pint podcast, Brian Armstrong stated that Coinbase set a one-week deadline for engineers to adopt new AI tools, such as GitHub Copilot and Cursor. He personally checks compliance with this requirement. Armstrong emphasized, "We’re leaning as hard as we can into AI." Engineers who did not start using AI tools without a valid reason were fired.
Company Goals and Priorities
According to Armstrong, 33% of Coinbase’s code is currently AI-written, and the company aims to increase this figure to 50% by the end of the quarter. Coinbase also holds monthly "AI Speed Runs" where engineers share best practices for using AI tools.
Brian Armstrong's Response
Armstrong acknowledged that his approach has faced criticism, but he believes it is crucial for clarifying the company's AI priorities. He noted the importance of human checks in coding, especially for financial systems, to avoid errors when handling money.
Coinbase's emphasis on AI adoption reflects the growing significance of artificial intelligence technologies across industries. The company's plans to increase the proportion of AI code demonstrate a serious intent to adapt to modern market demands.
