Some Uber employees have an AI clone of CEO Dara Khosrowshahi — and use 'Dara AI' before talking to the big boss himself

At Uber, artificial intelligence is not only enhancing ride-hailing services but is also being utilized to replicate the company's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi. In a recent episode of 'The Diary of a CEO' podcast, hosted by Steven Bartlett, Khosrowshahi revealed that some employees have developed an AI version of himself, dubbed 'Dara AI.' This innovative tool assists staff in preparing for presentations by allowing them to present their ideas to the AI first. By doing so, employees can refine their slides and other materials before facing the real Khosrowshahi. "They have Dara AI to tune their prep," he explained. Although the extent of the AI's usage within Uber remains uncertain, it exemplifies how employees are leveraging AI to better navigate high-stakes situations in the workplace. As the conversation unfolded, Bartlett humorously inquired if there’s a risk of showcasing 'Dara AI' to the board, which prompted laughter from both participants. Khosrowshahi acknowledged the capabilities of AI models to process vast amounts of data but noted their current limitations in adapting to new information—a critical skill for executives. "When the models can learn in real-time, that is the point at which I'm going to think that, yeah, we are all replaceable," he remarked. Uber's reliance on AI extends beyond this personal assistant, with the technology integral to its core ride-hailing operations and its emerging AI Solutions division, which engages independent contractors to train AI for various clients. Khosrowshahi mentioned that around 30% of Uber's coding team are 'power users' of AI, indicating a strong integration of the technology within the company. If AI enhances the efficiency of Uber's engineers by 25%, he expressed a desire to increase the engineering workforce, stating, "I want to go faster." However, he also acknowledged the possibility of AI reducing the need for additional hires, suggesting that instead of hiring more engineers, he might opt to invest in more agents and GPUs from Nvidia. This development raises intriguing questions about the future role of AI in corporate structures and its potential to reshape leadership dynamics.