80% of AI-native startups predict job growth

The startups building artificial intelligence are also the least worried about it taking jobs.

Among startups building AI as their core product, 80% expect job growth in their sector, according to a recent survey, compared with 30% of startups not currently using AI.

“AI isn’t about replacing human connection, but enabling it at scale … so people can focus on sharing meaning.”

The finding comes from our annual RealLIST Startups feature, incorporating responses from 95 early-stage startups across Technical.ly’s core ecosystems. Participating companies span at least eight sectors, including software, healthtech, greentech, biotech, cybersecurity, robotics and fintech. Nearly 4 in 5 of them report using AI in their products, operations or both.

Across the board, over half of surveyed startups say AI will lead to more jobs in their sector, compared with 1 in 5 who expect fewer jobs and 1 in 4 who say it will have little or no impact.

“AI isn’t about replacing human connection, but enabling it at scale by handling transcription, organization and prompts so people can focus on sharing meaning,” one Baltimore-based founder said.

At the same time, founders acknowledged that some roles may change as automation takes over certain tasks, and pointed to new categories of work emerging alongside the new tech.

How early-stage startups are using AI

AI is embedded across the pool of startups in multiple ways.

More than a third report using AI both inside their operations and in customer-facing products. Another 26% say they use AI internally but not in their core offering, while 16% are building artificial intelligence directly into the core of what they sell. Meanwhile, 21% of respondents report no current AI use.

Those deploying AI internally are using it in a variety of ways: to automate workflows, streamline customer support, assist with coding or improve back-office efficiency.

Many founders believe the tech is helping their…

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