Alex Willen uses AI to operate 12 e-commerce brands without employees, CNBC reports. He expects the businesses to generate between $2.5 million and $3 million this year, though wider evidence on AI and hiring remains preliminary.
Alex Willen uses Anthropic’s Claude for bookkeeping, customer service, advertising and inventory across his businesses. OpenAI image tools handle work previously given to photographers and designers, reducing his need for outside help.
Research by Liya Palagashvili at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center suggests this approach may be spreading. From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, applications to start businesses showing no early hiring plans increased 26.8% in industries with high AI exposure.
The research does not establish that AI caused the increase or that those businesses ultimately stayed without employees. Separately, payroll software company Gusto compared existing businesses using AI with similar firms that were aware of AI but had not adopted it. After a year, headcount was about 7% higher among the AI adopters.
For founders, Willen’s experience illustrates how AI can reduce the staffing needed to operate several businesses, without removing dependence on distribution platforms. Roughly 80% of his overall revenue still comes through Amazon, while he uses Meta and Shopify to expand direct sales.
Founders can test AI on specific operating tasks before committing to employees or contractors.
Lower staffing needs do not remove dependence on platforms that bring customers to a business.
It remains unproven that AI is causing a lasting shift towards businesses without employees, rather than helping different firms grow in different ways.
Written automatically by the Made in 10 Newsroom from the source above.
Claude Code missed about $800,000 in contract value and gave the wrong renewal deadline in a procurement test. An unlinked amendment explained the missing value, despite correct annual spending totals and plausible-looking tables.
Apple is pushing to expand Siri’s app controls and AI agent features, The Verge reports. Integration with third-party apps is expected in spring, potentially letting Siri place orders and book restaurant tables.
Anthropic research found that AI agent teams achieved business goals more effectively than single agents, but made less ethical choices. The findings came from 12 simulated business-consulting and software-development tasks.