Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has mandated all engineers of the company to use artificial intelligence in their daily work, with over 40% of the company’s code now generated by AI tools. The cryptocurrency exchange CEO has mandated the adoption of coding assistants like GitHub Copilot and Cursor, setting aggressive timelines that have reshaped how the company builds software.
Armstrong posted his ultimatum directly in Coinbase’s Slack communication channels, bypassing standard corporate timelines after hearing engineers might take quarters to adopt the technology. He personally hosted meetings with some staff, evaluating their reasons for resistance. “Some of them had a good reason, because they were just getting back from a trip. Some of them didn’t, and they got fired,” Armstrong revealed on John Collison’s ‘Cheeky Pint’ podcast.
The dramatic intervention reflects Armstrong’s conviction that AI adoption will determine Coinbase’s survival. The cryptocurrency exchange now generates over 40% of its daily code through AI, with Armstrong targeting 50% by October. This figure represents more than double the AI-generated code percentage since April, marking one of the most aggressive AI integration strategies in Silicon Valley.
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Critics called Armstrong’s approach heavy-handed, but he defended the mandate as necessary clarity. “AI’s important. We need you to all learn it and at least be onboard,’ he stated, emphasizing that hesitation in the rapidly evolving tech landscape costs both productivity and jobs.
Systematic change is the key to a better future
Coinbase transformed this forced adoption into systematic learning. The company now hosts monthly “AI speedruns” where successful AI users train colleagues across departments. These sessions extend beyond engineering to include design, planning, finance, and customer service teams, with AI even participating in internal decision-making processes.
Armstrong is pushing the boundaries of AI, exploring its potential as a primary decision-maker rather than just a supportive tool. While recognizing that AI may not be suitable for generating security-critical financial system code, he actively utilizes it to enhance front-end development and accelerate operational processes.
The strategy aligns with broader Silicon Valley trends. GitHub surveys show 92% of U.S. programmers at large firms use AI coding assistants, with 70% reporting improved efficiency. Tech leaders at Microsoft, Google, Shopify, and Amazon similarly push staff toward AI adoption, though Armstrong’s firing approach stands out for its bluntness.
Coinbase is actively expanding its workforce in engineering and development, posting hundreds of job openings, with a significant portion targeting highly skilled professionals. Approximately 100 roles focus on back-end engineering, many incorporating AI-related skills or responsibilities in their titles or descriptions, while customer experience positions lead non-technical roles with around 50 openings.
Industry recruiters observe tightening crypto hiring since 2022, attributing the trend to AI diverting talent and capital away from cryptocurrency sectors. “Developers and entrepreneurs follow the money and excitement, and right now AI is soaking up both,” explains CryptoJobsList founder Raman Shalupau.
Armstrong’s decision sets a precedent that could ripple throughout Silicon Valley, establishing AI adoption not as optional experimentation but as a survival necessity in an age where hesitation threatens competitive advantage.
