Mechanize and the AI Economy: A Vision of Full Automation

April 21st 2025

Tamay Besiroglu, a prominent AI researcher and co-founder of the nonprofit Epoch, has launched Mechanize; a startup aiming for the "full automation of all work" and the economy. The company plans to create virtual work environments, benchmarks, and training data to enable AI agents to perform tasks traditionally done by humans. While the immediate focus is on white-collar jobs, the long-term vision encompasses the entire labor market.​

Supporters argue that such automation could lead to explosive economic growth, higher standards of living, and the creation of new goods and services. Besiroglu suggests that in a fully automated economy, humans could benefit from alternative income sources like rents, dividends, and government welfare.

However, critics raise concerns about the societal implications of replacing human labor with AI. Questions arise about income distribution, purchasing power, and the potential erosion of human purpose and dignity. Moreover, the association of Mechanize with Epoch has sparked debates about conflicts of interest and the impartiality of AI research.​

This development prompts us to consider: Can a balance be struck between technological advancement and societal well-being? How do we ensure that the benefits of automation are equitably distributed?

Source: TechCrunch