Claude Code creator says companies are right to focus on AI's ROI — but they still need to allow for experimentation

Boris Cherny, the creator behind Claude Code, has valuable insights for businesses grappling with the rising costs associated with AI. During a recent discussion at Scale AI, he emphasized that while focusing on return on investment (ROI) is essential, companies must also prioritize the freedom to experiment with AI technologies. Cherny responded to concerns voiced by Uber COO Andrew Macdonald regarding whether the company's investments in AI were yielding sufficient returns. He acknowledged that understanding the financial implications of AI spending is crucial but cautioned against constraining innovation due to cost anxieties. "The way to do this is give people tokens and give them safety to experiment so they feel like they can try stuff and they're not going to get penalized for it," Cherny explained. He pointed out that some of the most transformative ideas often emerge from unexpected sources within an organization, highlighting the need for an environment that encourages creativity. Cherny also noted that Anthropic is committed to offering its enterprise clients various cost control measures, including per-seat pricing options, to help manage their AI budgets effectively. As companies like Anthropic gear up for potential IPOs, the discussion surrounding AI ROI becomes increasingly relevant. Cherny underscored the significance of monitoring token usage, as every token consumed reflects an opportunity cost for the company. He further elaborated that as AI technology advances, the metrics for measuring ROI must evolve as well. For instance, while previously, companies might have tracked the percentage of code generated by AI, Cherny argued that such metrics are becoming less meaningful as AI capabilities expand. Ultimately, the conversation centers on how to eliminate bottlenecks in the creative process, allowing organizations to generate innovative ideas more rapidly. Cherny's insights serve as a reminder that balancing cost management with the freedom to explore new possibilities is crucial for unlocking the full potential of AI.