Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan has revealed that his extensive use of AI agents costs him between $100,000 and $200,000 annually in token fees. Tan described how he relies on AI not only for professional projects and coding but also for managing personal tasks. His AI setup includes an agent that accesses and processes his emails, Dropbox files, Apple Notes, and even therapy notes dating back two decades, helping him stay organized and proactive in his daily life.

Tan shared his open-source toolkit of 23 Claude Code skills on GitHub under the name gstack, aiming to educate others about the practical capabilities of AI agents. He likened AI assistance to a "Jiminy Cricket" constantly advising and anticipating needs. His approach emphasizes that AI agents go beyond traditional software, possessing a level of autonomy and human-like interaction, which he argues is often underestimated by those prioritizing purely safe and repeatable interactions.

At Y Combinator, AI is also transforming internal processes through a specialized agent called Stray Light, which holds comprehensive context on all founders backed by the accelerator and communications received over the years. This agent possesses a distinct personality combined with a company-wide knowledge base, helping reshape how YC operates. Tan highlighted how such AI applications are becoming more integrated into both corporate and personal workflows.

Looking ahead, Tan believes personal AI agents have the potential to become mainstream but stresses the importance of reducing costs to make them accessible beyond elite early adopters. He expressed concerns about reliance on AI controlled by large tech companies, underscoring the need for personal AI systems that users can program and control themselves. This vision reflects a desire for a future in which AI empowers individuals without dependence on opaque corporate algorithms.