A startup that needs to look after its people more - Software Developer Harrison-AI Employee Review

The original vision and product are amazing, and you'll work with some incredibly talented, passionate people.

The CEO is in full blown AI psychosis. An AI chatbot that he vibe coded over the Christmas break has been given full access to all company systems and IP, he takes it as a personal insult if you don't use it on a daily basis, and non-technical staff are encouraged to use it to deploy apps that are putting company secrets at serious risk. The company is hemorrhaging money and operating at a huge loss, yet the CEO boasts about having "infinite runway" in the same breath as laying off 25% of the company for the most insane restructure yet (there have been many...) Mega $$$$ was spent for a whole rebranding and rollout of new "company values", and less than a year later those values have been abandoned. Deadlines keep getting shorter, more unattainable and expected to be completed with fewer staff. (Ever heard of a medical device company that does not have a test team?????) Everyone is SO burnt out and looking to get out. Engagement survey results are so bad that they aren't even shared anymore, let alone actioned. I am unsure if it's arrogance or desperation, but the company is scrambling and has lost the noble vision it once had.

Genuinely talented and collaborative people across the organisation, one of the stronger teams I’ve worked with. The culture, prior to the restructure, was a real strength and something the business should look to rebuild. Refreshingly, there’s no pressure to be anyone other than yourself, authenticity is genuinely valued.

At the executive level, there’s a tendency to prioritise internal initiatives, tools, processes, structure, over the fundamentals of revenue growth and cost management. Sharper focus on the core business would serve the company well. The board appeared somewhat removed from these internal dynamics, which limited the organisation’s ability to self-correct in a timely way.