A hot paper — "Some Simple Economics of AGI" — has been making the rounds, so we sat down with the author, covering:

Automation vs. verification: the key economic split
Why AI agents now feel like coworkers - What's happening to junior roles and the “codifier’s curse”
The “AI sandwich” structure for firms
The value of "meaning-makers," consensus, and status economies
Why crypto may become essential infrastructure for identity, provenance, and trust
Two possible futures: a hollow vs. augmented economy

Featuring Christian Catalini (founder of MIT Crypto Economics Lab) and Eddy Lazzarin (CTO of a16z crypto) in conversation with Robert Hackett, our discussion dives deep into how automation is reshaping labor markets, as well as the nature of intelligence.

What do these changes mean for startups, the future of work, and your career?

Highlights

00:00 Introduction

01:47 AGI economics optimism and playbook

05:39 Agents as coworkers

07:39 Software work becomes verification

10:47 Automation versus verification

12:03 "Unknown unknowns" and taste

16:27 Human augmentation and intent

17:55 The "AI Sandwich" and "Codifier's Curse"

21:54 "Meaning-makers" and the human touch

23:48 Crypto for identity and trust?

27:10 Measurability: How to think about it

33:23 Machine coordination and art after automation

35:46 Trojan horse risks

37:47 Liability and insurance

41:08 Crypto and verification

44:31 A hollow vs. augmented economy

49:45 Career advice in the AI era

51:26 The one-person billion-dollar startup

57:15 Open-source as antibodies

58:42 Blockchains for coordination

01:01:49 Closing thoughts

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As always, none of the following should be taken as investment, business, legal, or tax advice. Please see a16z.com/disclosures for more important information, including a link to a list of our investments.

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