Fiverr CEO Says AI Experience Is Mandatory for Job Candidates

Micha Kaufman, CEO of Fiverr, has declared that candidates without AI experience will not be considered for employment at the freelance marketplace giant. In an interview with Business Insider, Kaufman stated that merely being open to AI is insufficient—actual usage is non-negotiable.

Key Points:

• AI as a Baseline Skill: Kaufman views AI as a fundamental requirement, not an optional advantage. "You can't wait to be taught something," he said. "If you don't sharpen your knives, you'll be left behind."
• Competition Shifts: The real threat isn't AI itself but professionals who leverage it effectively. "People versed in technology will displace those who are not," Kaufman warned.
• Internal Memo: Last month, Kaufman sent a memo to Fiverr's 775 employees, bluntly stating, "AI is coming for your jobs. Heck, it's coming for my job too." He framed this as a wake-up call, not fear-mongering.

Industry Trends:

• Klarna and Shopify: Other CEOs like Klarna's Sebastian Siemiatkowski and Shopify's Tobi Lütke have echoed similar sentiments, with Shopify now requiring teams to prove AI can't perform a role before hiring humans.
• Freelancers Lead: Kaufman noted freelancers often adopt AI faster than full-time employees, experimenting with tools like "vibe coding" and AI agent training. Fiverr's data shows explosive growth in AI-related service demand (e.g., "AI Agent" searches up 18,347%).

Human Value Remains:

• Kaufman believes workers who use AI to automate routine tasks can focus on "complex, nuanced human tasks" that technology cannot replicate. "The special human touch is essential," he added.

"If you're still working like it's 2024, you're doing something wrong," Kaufman concluded, urging professionals to embrace AI or risk obsolescence.