Y Combinator: AI Transforms Applications, But at What Cost?
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The Impact of AI on Y Combinator Applications
Garry Tan, the CEO of Y Combinator, has recently taken a stance in favor of using artificial intelligence in application writing. The accelerator's partners have observed significant trends in submissions, notably a marked increase in the use of dashes and the frequent appearance of the word "wedge." According to Tyler Bosmeny, a partner at Y Combinator, the length of applications has increased by 60% over the past three years. This trend raises suspicions about candidates using AI to draft their documents.
Y Combinator applications require responses to several written questions. Founders must detail their idea choice, identify their competitors, and explain their revenue generation strategy. In this context, many tech enthusiasts are turning to AI to enhance their writing skills, which is reflected in the structure and content of the applications received.
A Notable Evolution in Applications
Tyler Bosmeny highlighted that the length of Y Combinator applications has increased by 60% over the past three years. He shared this observation on X, questioning the reasons behind this evolution. Pete Koomen, another YC partner, also noted this change. He remarked that founders did not express themselves this way just a year ago.
The term "wedge" began to spread in 2025, as indicated by a graph shared by Koomen. During the summer 2026 session, this word appeared in about 20% of applications. This evolution reflects a shift in the language used by candidates.
Distinctive Signs of AI-Assisted Writing
Dashes began to appear more frequently starting in 2023, with a notable acceleration in 2024. During the summer 2025 session, over 50% of applications contained dashes, according to collected data. Koomen emphasized the importance of dash spacing, which saw a significant increase in summer 2025, coinciding with the rise of the word "wedge" and the launch of Opus 4 by Anthropic.
However, not all results are uniform. For example, the word "delve" is often associated with AI-generated writing. Although it saw a rise in winter 2024, it never exceeded 1.25% of applications.
AI: A Controversial Tool for Applications
Y Combinator has not established specific guidelines regarding the use of AI in applications, unlike some companies such as Anthropic. Current and former YC leaders have expressed differing opinions on this issue.
Garry Tan stated during a "Naval" podcast in July that he uses AI for writing. "I certainly do," he said, admitting that it is possible to correct AI's mistakes. When a host suggested that good writing reflects good thinking, Tan replied that he has "broadband conversations" with an AI model.
In contrast, Paul Graham, the retired co-founder of YC, expressed a more critical opinion. In May, he posted on X about the emails he received from founders, written in a "punchy journalistic style." Graham stated that these emails were written by AI and gave the impression of deception. He also mentioned the word "delve" as a sign of ChatGPT usage.
Despite these differences, Y Combinator appears to be investing in the future of AI-generated writing, supporting at least two startups specializing in this field.
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