Ryan Walker

AI Exposes Which Software Moats Extend Beyond Code

John Coogan and Jordi Hays argue that AI has weakened software businesses whose main value is readily reproducible code, but has not erased the value of companies built on distribution, customer relationships, operational infrastructure and embedded workflows. They use Chegg as the clearest case of direct displacement, while arguing that platforms such as Shopify, Twilio and Roblox retain harder-to-recreate assets. The discussion also examines how remote hiring can be exploited by North Korean IT workers using stolen identities and U.S.-hosted devices, and why high compensation may not keep AI researchers from leaving large labs to found companies.