OpenAI's New Developer API and the Rise of AI-Driven Entrepreneurship with Attack Capital and Engagedly

OpenAI is pushing the development of AI agents capable of performing multistep tasks independently by introducing a new "Responses API" for software developers. This API aims to replace the current Assistants API by 2026 and allows the creation of custom AI agents that can search company files and navigate websites, drawing functionality from OpenAI's Operator agent and its Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model. While offering promising automation capabilities, such as data entry, OpenAI admits the CUA model is still imperfect for reliable task automation on operating systems, emphasizing that the API remains an early-stage tool poised for ongoing enhancements.

Kaushik Tiwari, a Thiel Fellow and Y Combinator-backed founder, is pioneering the concept of "one-person unicorns" through his AI holding company, Attack Capital. By leveraging advances in agentic AI systems, epitomized by OpenAI’s framework, solo founders can now achieve what traditionally required extensive teams and resources, marking a shift in startup building strategies. Systems such as OpenAI's Swarm are enabling AI agents to progress from simple task executors to strategic partners capable of overseeing entire business operations. With affordable cloud platforms and self-improving systems like OpenAI's O1 and DeepSeek R1, the barriers to building billion-dollar companies are rapidly diminishing. This paradigm shift raises critical questions on accountability, bias, and economic impact, while offering a glimpse into a future where entrepreneurs manage hybrid teams of AI agents, freelancers, and core employees.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is considering replacing some of the federal workforce with its AI tool, GSAi, amid concerns about its reliability and potential controversy. Initially developed under the Biden administration as an AI test environment, the project shifted focus under the Trump administration to become a functional chatbot akin to ChatGPT, capable of drafting emails and writing code. Despite its nascent development and limitations, there is pressure to expedite its deployment, with significant workforce restructuring anticipated as part of an "AI-first strategy." Skepticism surrounds the tool’s capacity to perform complex governmental tasks reliably, with concerns about false positives in contract analysis and the lack of enforced AI safety measures. Internal documents and insights from The Atlantic emphasize that while GSAi aims to optimize government operations, its rapid implementation raises questions about its readiness and the risks involved.

Manus, a new AI agent developed in China, is making waves with its autonomous capabilities in tasks like resume sorting and stock analysis, but it raises significant concerns about data privacy and competition with the U.S. CEO of Corpora.ai, Mel Morris, emphasizes that while Manus showcases advancements in Agentic AI, its autonomy in high-stakes tasks could lead to problematic outcomes due to potential inaccuracies. The development of Agentic AI, capable of extensive reasoning and code execution, highlights both exciting and alarming prospects, such as the creation of a language indecipherable to humans that might hinder oversight. Morris points out that the debate over AI's impact on data privacy and security, particularly with Chinese ties, underlines the need for vigilant oversight and monitoring of these autonomous agents. Despite its capabilities, Manus is not considered a groundbreaking leap beyond existing models like OpenAI's or Gemini.

Engagedly, an AI talent management software company, is advancing its platform by adopting an Agentic AI framework, marked by the introduction of a central coordinating super-agent named Marissa AI. This development promises to innovate talent management practices by offering intelligent solutions for career planning, goal setting, strategic alignment, workforce planning, and talent assessment. Scheduled for rollout starting Q2 2025, these autonomous agents will bolster the capabilities of HR teams by providing data-driven insights and streamlining career development processes. CEO Sri Chellappa has highlighted the importance of this shift, aligning the new AI-driven tools with enhanced efficiency and better insights into talent management, positioning it as a pivotal evolution for Engagedly and its clients.