Airbnb's CEO says AI writes 60% of the company's code — and makes managers get their hands dirty (www.businessinsider.com)

Airbnb's CEO Brian Chesky announced during a recent earnings call that AI is now responsible for writing nearly 60% of the company's code, significantly accelerating feature delivery and iteration. This move places Airbnb among other tech leaders, like Shopify and Google, who have reported substantial proportions of AI-generated code. Chesky emphasized a cultural shift at Airbnb where managers are expected to engage hands-on in coding or utilizing AI tools such as Claude Code, indicating a departure from traditional management roles that do not involve direct technical contribution. This shift in operational structure highlights a broader trend within the tech industry toward a flatter management model, minimizing the reliance on "pure people managers." As companies adopt AI more extensively, executives are reevaluating job functions and emphasizing the importance of technical skills among all team members. While Chesky did not specify potential managerial layoffs, he acknowledged that the conversation around team structuring is ongoing. This change reflects an ongoing evolution in the workplace, driven by AI's capabilities to streamline processes and enhance productivity.