Silicon Valley has seen its fair share of bold claims, but few match the audacity of Mechanize. A new venture by renowned AI researcher Tamay Besiroglu, this startup promises to automate every job on the planet. The announcement sparked immediate backlash, with critics questioning both its feasibility and the ethics behind eliminating human labor. Even Besiroglu’s own colleagues at his respected research institute, Epoch, expressed dismay over the controversial launch.
Mechanize’s stated mission is simple yet staggering: achieve complete economic automation. In a post on X, Besiroglu outlined the company’s objective—developing the tools needed to replace human workers with AI agents. He framed the initiative as an economic revolution, citing the enormous market potential by referencing global wage statistics. The US alone pays workers roughly $18 trillion annually, while worldwide, that figure exceeds $60 trillion. Besiroglu clarified that Mechanize would initially target white-collar roles, leaving physically demanding jobs to robotics.
The reaction was swift and largely negative. Critics argued that widespread automation would harm society, stripping people of purpose and financial stability. One prominent voice on X, Anthony Aguirre, acknowledged Besiroglu’s past contributions but lamented the direction of Mechanize, calling it “a loss for humanity.” Beyond the startup’s divisive goal, concerns arose over its connection to Epoch, an organization known for impartial AI research. Skeptics questioned whether Epoch’s work had been secretly supporting commercial AI advancements all along. This wasn’t the first time Epoch faced scrutiny—months earlier, it had drawn criticism for its undisclosed ties to OpenAI.
Despite the backlash, Mechanize boasts high-profile backers, including influential figures in tech and finance. Investor Marcus Abramovitch praised Besiroglu’s team, calling their understanding of AI unmatched. Besiroglu defends his vision, arguing that automation will lead to unprecedented prosperity. He references his own research, suggesting that AI-driven abundance could raise living standards and create unimaginable innovations. However, skeptics counter that without jobs, people won’t have the means to afford these advancements.
Besiroglu remains optimistic, proposing alternative income sources like investments or government support. He also acknowledges current limitations in AI agent performance, admitting they often fail at complex, long-term tasks. While Mechanize works to refine this technology, industry giants like Microsoft and OpenAI are racing to develop their own solutions. For now, Besiroglu’s message is clear: Mechanize is looking for talent to help turn this radical vision into reality.