Can A.I. Already Do Your Job?
Can A.I. Already Do Your Job?
Podcast30 min 49 sec
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

The new wave of "agentic" AI is proving the technology's long-term value, moving beyond hype to perform real economic work. Since the leading agentic AI firms OpenAI and Anthropic are private, the most direct way to invest is through their public backers. Consider Microsoft (MSFT) for exposure to OpenAI's cutting-edge development. To invest in the rapid adoption of competitor Anthropic, look to its key partners Google (GOOGL) and Amazon (AMZN). These tech giants are not only funding the AI revolution but also providing the essential cloud infrastructure it runs on.

Detailed Analysis

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sector & "Agentic Coding"

  • The podcast highlights a major new development in AI called "agentic coding" or "agentic systems." This is described as the biggest development since ChatGPT.
  • Unlike chatbots that respond to prompts, these AI "agents" can work autonomously to complete complex tasks. They can make a plan, assign tasks to other AI agents, write code, build websites, and test their own work.
  • The host suggests that the massive investment in AI infrastructure (like data centers) is now "starting to pay off." The technology is moving beyond being a "fancy Google" to becoming a tool that can perform "real valuable work in the economy."
  • This new phase is seen as proof that the AI trend is not just a "bubble." The technology is improving at a "very fast and accelerating rate," surprising even the people building it.
  • A significant economic impact discussed is the potential for job displacement, particularly for entry-level white-collar and software development roles.
    • A Stanford study found that employment for young software engineers has dropped about 20% from its peak in 2022, suggesting companies may need fewer human coders.
    • The CEO of AI company Anthropic warned that AI could potentially eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within the next five years.

Takeaways

  • Bullish Sentiment on AI's Practical Application: The narrative has shifted from AI as a novelty to AI as a powerful tool for economic productivity. Investors should view this as a sign that the AI theme has long-term potential beyond initial hype.
  • Focus on "Agentic" Leaders: The companies at the forefront of this "agentic" wave, like OpenAI and Anthropic, are positioned as the key innovators driving the next phase of AI adoption.
  • "Picks and Shovels" Strategy: The development of these powerful AI agents requires immense computing power. This reinforces the investment case for companies that provide the underlying infrastructure for AI, such as data centers, semiconductor manufacturers, and cloud computing providers.
  • Monitor Labor Market Impacts: The potential for job displacement is a major theme. From an investment perspective, companies that successfully integrate AI agents to lower labor costs could see improved profit margins. Conversely, industries that rely heavily on the types of jobs threatened by this technology may face disruption.

OpenAI

  • OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is mentioned as one of the key companies leading the charge into "agentic coding."
  • Their new agentic system is called Codex.
  • A key technological breakthrough mentioned is "recursive self-improvement." OpenAI's latest model, GPT 5.3 Codex, was used to help build and improve itself. This is described as "AI models making AI models" and is a major reason for the accelerating pace of development.

Takeaways

  • Technological Leader: OpenAI continues to be a central player at the cutting edge of AI development. Its ability to create self-improving models suggests a strong and potentially widening technological lead.
  • Indirect Investment Opportunity: OpenAI is a private company, so you cannot buy its stock directly. However, Microsoft (MSFT) is its largest investor and partner. Investing in Microsoft is a primary way for public market investors to gain exposure to OpenAI's growth and success.

Anthropic

  • Anthropic is presented as a direct competitor to OpenAI and a leader in the AI race.
  • Their agentic coding tool, Claude Code, was the focus of the podcast's live demonstration, where it built a functional website with a playable video game in minutes.
  • Claude Code has reportedly "blown up," with millions of users. It is being used not just by engineers but also by employees in marketing, sales, and finance to automate parts of their jobs.
  • The company's CEO, Dario Amadei, is quoted expressing concern about the technology's potential to eliminate a significant number of white-collar jobs, highlighting the transformative power of their product.

Takeaways

  • Strong Market Adoption: The podcast emphasizes that Claude Code is gaining significant traction beyond the core tech community, indicating a strong product-market fit and potential for widespread commercial and enterprise adoption.
  • Indirect Investment Opportunity: Like OpenAI, Anthropic is a private company. Public investors can gain exposure through its major corporate backers. Google (GOOGL) and Amazon (AMZN) have both invested billions of dollars into Anthropic, integrating its technology into their cloud platforms. These companies represent the main avenues for public investment exposure to Anthropic's potential.
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Episode Description
“Vibecoding,” or using artificial-intelligence tools such as Claude Code to generate code for websites or apps, is the newest A.I. trend, and it could transform the software-development industry. Kevin Roose, a technology columnist for The New York Times, takes us inside the process. Guest: Kevin Roose, a technology columnist for The New York Times in the San Francisco Bay Area and a host of the Times tech podcast, “Hard Fork.” Background reading:  Here are five ways people are using Claude Code. With “vibecoding," A.I. can help anyone build an app. Not a coder? With A.I., just having an idea can be enough. Photo: Photo illustration by The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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