TechCheck The AI talent revolving door, Plus, The AI coding boom hits software 1/15/26
Jan 15, 2026
Aaron Levie, CEO of Box, dives into the intense AI talent wars, highlighting OpenAI's strategic rehiring of top researchers. He discusses how AI tools, like Claude Cowork and Replit, are transforming software development. Levie emphasizes that while AI can enhance internal tools, core systems like CRMs and ERPs will remain crucial. He also shares insights on how AI agents could elevate platform value and competitive dynamics, touching on global strategies and the role of open-source in the AI landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Talent Wars Force Risky Rehires
- OpenAI rehired top researchers from a rival despite ethical and confidentiality concerns, signaling urgency in the AI talent race.
- This suggests employee leverage is high and leaving isn't necessarily final for star researchers.
Hands-On With Cloud Code
- Deirdre tested Anthropic's Cloud Code and said it felt like a ChatGPT-style inflection point.
- She spent the last day building with it and found the experience transformative for creating apps.
AI Coding Shakes Software Valuations
- Rapid improvements in AI coding tools are pressuring software stocks by making internal tooling much easier to build.
- This creates a palpable shift in investor sentiment about the future value of traditional software vendors.