Max Altman, cofounder of the research and advancement company Saga, asserted that the technology industry has become excessively preoccupied with abstract “missions” at the expense of practical problem-solving, speaking at the 2024 Collision Conference on November 24, 2024. Altman’s critique comes as venture capital funding shifts and tech companies reassess priorities amid economic uncertainty.
The former Y Combinator partner’s comments reflect a growing sentiment that a focus on grand, frequently enough vaguely defined goals-like “connecting the world” or “democratizing facts”-has led to a disconnect from tangible user needs and enduring business models. This shift in perspective impacts investors, engineers, and consumers alike, possibly reshaping the direction of innovation and the types of technologies that receive funding. Altman’s views suggest a possible recalibration within the tech sector,prioritizing demonstrable value over aspirational pronouncements.
Altman, who previously worked at OpenAI, cofounded Saga in 2023 with a focus on building AI agents capable of autonomously completing complex tasks. He stated that while ambitious goals are not inherently negative, they can become detrimental when they overshadow the importance of delivering functional, reliable products. “I think there’s been a lot of focus on mission, and not enough focus on just building things that are useful,” Altman said.
He further elaborated that the emphasis on “mission” often attracts individuals motivated by ideological alignment rather than technical expertise, potentially hindering the development of robust and scalable technologies. Altman’s argument centers on the idea that a pragmatic, user-centric approach-prioritizing demonstrable improvements in people’s lives-is essential for long-term success in the tech industry.
