Silicon Valley is building AI agents crazy to augment human labor. If such agents function as intended, the entire work could become extinct or close to it. AI agents are poised to drive away customer service representatives, sales associates, executive assistants, IT administrators, junior developers and journalists. AI startup boards replace “helpful VCs” by automating referrals to people.
When a founder or investor is asked about the potential work that technology causes, the answer is always the same. Yes, AI eliminates some work. But it also creates others.
Make sure it's become VC Mike Ghaffary's obsession. Ghaffary is previously best known for social capital as a general partner at Canvas Ventures. His investments include Superhuman, Strava, Faire, Optimizely and CloudKitchens.
On Friday, Guffary announced that he had left Canvas to join Burst Capital, a VC company founded by a former Yelp executive group in 2017. Burst is led by former Yelp COO Geoff Donaker. (Ghaffary and Donaker also worked together on Yelp a few years ago.)
In Burst, Ghaffary not only creates jobs, but also supports businesses that generate good-sales middle-class jobs for millions of people who don't have advanced degrees in AI or machine learning. We are aiming for this.
“We're seeing this shift in work, so we're actually doing something about it,” he told TechCrunch. “It feels like there's a lot to be done 'Don't worry, don't look here. AI destroys a lot of jobs, but it also creates jobs!” As a high-tech company, we promised You need to create new jobs that you are doing. ”
He sees a small number of businesses doing so by providing technology to small business owners, just as Mom-and-Pop restaurant owners help with marketing. Or Glossgenius, who creates all-in-one booking and payment software for hairdressers.
His own portfolio has RESQ. This helps restaurants and hospitality companies manage equipment repair needs, including matching with repair companies.
But Gaffery says the biggest gap he sees is the startups that use AI to create high-paying jobs. “The company I'm looking for also tells me I'm not finding: vocational training.”
He uses AI to build founders who help people develop skills in other such industries to help people learn high paying transactions such as industrial electricians and commercial plumbers. I want to see it do.
“That's where AI can enter,” he says. He wants to see an affordable plan that offers virtual or otherwise enhancement training “in the same way” where “almost millions of people” are at risk of being left behind. I think so.
“I think there's a huge opportunity,” he says. “And that's for our country and our world. Otherwise we have this massive employment society, but that's not good for everyone.”