Coinbase CEO explains why he fired engineers who didn’t try AI immediately
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong mandated that all engineers onboard AI tools like GitHub Copilot and Cursor by a strict deadline, aiming for 50% of the company’s code to be written with AI assistance by the end of the quarter.
Initially, some predicted AI adoption would take months, but Armstrong pushed for much faster integration, posting directly in the company’s Slack channel demanding compliance within a week.
He then held a mandatory Saturday meeting for engineers who hadn't onboarded, during which some employees with legitimate reasons like being on vacation were excused, but others who did not comply were fired.
Armstrong described his approach as "heavy-handed" but necessary to signal AI's critical importance for the company’s future.
Armstrong emphasizes that while AI is heavily used in engineering and design, human oversight remains essential, especially in financial systems. He also uses AI extensively in his CEO role, reflecting a broader industry trend of rapid AI adoption to maintain competitive advantage.
This directive highlights Coinbase’s aggressive push to fully integrate AI tools across its operations, with serious consequences for non-compliance.