Garry Tan, the president and CEO of Y Combinator (YC), is shifting the focus towards AI-driven startups. Under his leadership, YC has doubled down on supporting ventures that leverage AI. In the Winter 2024 batch, approximately 50% of the 260 startups were centred on AI, marking a clear shift towards nurturing innovations that utilise AI and large language models.
Tan views AI as a game-changer, on par with the internet in the 1990s and smartphones in the 2000s. He sees AI as a powerful tool with the potential to address complex challenges across a range of sectors, from B2B software and healthcare to fintech.
Tan has been actively participating in public discussions about AI, including speaking at events like The Economic Club of Washington, DC, where he shared insights on AI’s potential and challenges.