I'm a startup founder who uses AI as a middle manager. It enables my junior employee to produce senior-level work. (www.businessinsider.com)

Startup founder Charles Swann of Forage has revolutionized his approach to hiring and productivity by leveraging AI, specifically Gemini 3, to enable his junior employee to produce senior-level work. Initially hired for her cultural insight but lacking extensive experience, Swann’s employee utilized AI tools to refine her product strategies. Over six months, the AI transitioned from merely supporting her ideas to actively co-creating product specifications, drastically reducing the time needed to draft key documents from 10 hours to just 4-5. This shift allowed Swann to focus less on supervision and more on high-level strategic decisions, showcasing AI's potential to empower less experienced individuals in the workforce. This significant development highlights a growing trend in the AI/ML community where traditional hiring criteria are being re-evaluated. With AI acting as a middle layer, it enables founders to prioritize a candidate's raw intelligence and cultural comprehension over extensive industry experience, which can often stifle innovation. Despite potential risks such as AI hallucinations, Swann emphasizes that the speed and efficiency gained outweigh the drawbacks. As AI continues to shape the future of work, this experience suggests a shift towards a more dynamic, adaptive approach in team structures and employee development, paving the way for a new paradigm in talent management.