Why Dan Shipper's AI Experiment at Every Could Be the Future of Work

Dan Shipper isn't your typical CEO. He's a guy who's not typing out the bulk of his emails anymore. Instead, the head of the AI-powered company Every, leans on OpenAI's Codex to handle his inbox, propose meetings, and draft responses. But don’t worry, it doesn’t hit send without his nod.

Shipper thinks his business model, which is deeply rooted in AI, represents a glimpse of the future. Founded in 2020, Every is more than just a media company. It’s a tech-forward machine that churns out newsletters, AI consulting, and apps like Sparkle, all with support from heavy hitters like Reid Hoffman.

Spending Big on AI

Running a futuristic company isn't cheap. Shipper confessed he dropped about $13,000 last month on Codex alone. That's quite a bill, and it caught the eye of his COO. But Shipper just shrugs it off. AI costs at Every are seen like health insurance or a company laptop. He says, "As long as you don't spend so much money that we go bankrupt, we'll be fine." Bold words, but who pays the cost when AI gets more expensive?

Every employee gets an AI agent. Entry-level staff gets a $20-a-month plan, while tech workers enjoy $200 plans. They're spending money to save time, and Shipper believes this approach will push more people into manager-like roles earlier. But the jobs numbers tell one story. The paychecks tell another.

AI's Role in the Workflow

Every's reliance on AI isn’t just about cutting costs. It’s about reshaping how work gets done. They tried giving every employee their own AI agent but found it to be a hassle. Now, teams share agents. For instance, the consulting team uses Claudie to draft slides, handle proposals, and track client to-dos. Shipper doesn’t see these tools replacing workers outright. Instead, they’re turning employees into decision-makers faster. But is faster always better?

Shipper admits AI has its limits. As a writer, AI can draft and edit, but it stumbles on knowing what's interesting. Humans still have the edge there. So, while AI can simplify tasks, it can't replicate human intuition. Not yet, anyway.

The AI Race

Riding the AI wave isn’t just about staying afloat. Right now, Anthropic is making waves with its Opus model, overtaking OpenAI's valuation. But Shipper believes Codex is the dark horse ready to surge ahead. "What they're doing with Codex is incredibly impressive," he predicts.

And in a world where AI runs rampant, Shipper stays friendly with the bots. "I'm usually very nice, because you never know when they're going to take over the world," he quips. A joke, perhaps. But it reminds us that automation isn't neutral. It has winners and losers.