Industry & Venture

Your startup’s next teammate might be an AI agent: Gusto, Insight Partners, and Leland explain what that changes at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

The first few hires at a startup can define the company. But increasingly, not every new capability requires a new employee. AI agents are beginning to take on engineering, customer support, research, and operational work that would previously have been assigned to early team members.

The AI Multiverse Editorial Desk•Thursday, September 17, 2026•6 min read

Reported viaTechCrunch AI

Reader:

Executive Brief & 3-Point Takeaways

The first few hires at a startup can define the company.

But increasingly, not every new capability requires a new employee.

AI agents are beginning to take on engineering, customer support, research, and operational work that would previously have been assigned to early team members.

Impact:

And which responsibilities are too important to delegate?

Fact-checked against primary sourcesCategory: Industry & Venture

Your startup’s next teammate might be an AI agent: Gusto, Insight Partners, and Leland explain what that changes at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Illustration: AI-generated

Key Findings & Takeaways

The first few hires at a startup can define the company.
But increasingly, not every new capability requires a new employee.
AI agents are beginning to take on engineering, customer support, research, and operational work that would previously have been assigned to early team members.

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Journalistic Dispatch Thesis

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Why It Matters

And which responsibilities are too important to delegate?

Overview

Why It Matters

And which responsibilities are too important to delegate?

Key Details

For founders, that creates a new question before they even open a job requisition: What should people own, and what should be delegated to AI?

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Josh Reeves, CEO and co-founder of Gusto; Michelle Johnson, senior vice president at Insight Partners; and John Koelliker, CEO and co-founder of Leland, come together on the Builders Stage for an insightful session called “Hiring When AI Is a Co-Founder.” This session will explore how early-stage companies are building teams where humans and AI agents work alongside each other — and how founders can do that without sacrificing speed, accountability, or culture.

Join them at Moscone West in San Francisco, October 13–15, alongside 10,000+ startups, investors, and tech decision-makers exploring what it takes to build and scale the next generation of companies.

Save up to 30% more when you register as a group.

--- *Original report published by [TechCrunch AI](https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/16/your-startups-next-teammate-might-be-an-ai-agent-gusto-insight-partners-and-leland-explain-what-that-changes-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2026/).*