Cognition: Scott Wu Defends AI Devin Without Replacing Humans

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Key Takeaways

1Cognition, led by Scott Wu, has raised one billion dollars, reaching a valuation of 26 billion.

2Devin, Cognition's AI agent, produces 89% of the code but does not aim to replace programmers.

3Wu emphasizes the importance of AI as a tool for assistance, not substitution, in software development.

💡Why it matters — Cognition's approach highlights a collaborative AI model, preserving jobs while enhancing productivity.

Cognition Reaches a Valuation of $26 Billion

Scott Wu, CEO of Cognition, recently garnered attention with a $1 billion fundraising round, bringing his startup's valuation to $26 billion. Cognition, a company specializing in AI coding agents and just two years old, has developed Devin, an AI coding agent that has established itself as one of the top performers in its field. According to Wu, Devin is capable of managing end-to-end software development tasks, making it a valuable tool for the company.

In a blog post accompanying this fundraising, Cognition shared its vision of a world where software development could become largely autonomous. However, Wu emphasized that the goal is not to replace human programmers with Devin.

Scott Wu: AI Should Not Replace Humans

In an interview with TechCrunch, Wu stressed that Cognition has never viewed Devin as a complete substitute for human programmers. In 2026, a year marked by numerous layoffs in the tech sector due to AI, Wu stated that he does not want coders to lose their jobs. He himself began coding at the age of nine and deeply understands the value of this profession.

Wu has been recognized as one of the most talented young programmers of his time. As a sophomore, he won a national mathematics competition aimed at seventh graders, marking the beginning of a promising career in mathematics and programming. According to a recent profile in Colossus, Wu has been described as one of the most accomplished competitive child programmers of all time. These achievements have allowed him to meet other prodigies, some of whom have founded successful tech companies, like Alexandr Wang of Scale AI.

Devin, a Work Partner

Wu insists that Devin was designed to be a work partner, a "friend" that helps programmers create more. He keeps a teddy bear symbolizing Devin on his desk, underscoring the idea that the AI agent is there to assist, not to replace. Wu mentioned that Devin could potentially replace an L4 level programmer, but that is not Cognition's goal.

He emphasizes that most software engineers find joy in creating software. For them, it is a way to transform ideas into tangible products. Agents like Devin add a layer of abstraction, facilitating the transition from idea to realization.

Devin's Role at Cognition

At Cognition, Devin plays a crucial role, contributing to 89% of the code produced by the company. The rest is generated by local agents from Windsurf, an AI coding company acquired by Cognition the previous year. Devin is primarily used for maintenance tasks, freeing programmers from repetitive duties and allowing them to focus on creation.

Wu is troubled by the notion that Devin could replace human programmers. He clarifies that the agent operates at an intermediate level, between a junior engineer and a mid-level engineer, depending on the tasks. Wu also mentioned the possibility that AI agents could one day work autonomously and recursively at higher levels.

Towards a Future of Collaborative AI

Wu envisions a future where AI agents will expand into other fields, such as customer service and medicine, while enhancing the capabilities of human workers. He firmly believes that humans should always have the final say in decision-making.

According to Wu, while software development is at the forefront of this evolution, other industries will follow. He is convinced that AI should be a tool for augmentation, not replacement, in all professions.