Chatbase Plans to Double Staff to 80 Employees
The San Francisco AI firm is adding roles over the next six months despite recent sector-wide layoffs.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Job Search
Live Poll
Do you believe AI tools will ultimately replace the need for human staff in most workplaces?
Chatbase is bucking a recent local tech trend by planning to double its staff to 80 employees over the next six months. Founder Yasser Elsaid announced the hiring surge this week, marking a shift away from the lean operating strategy he championed earlier this year.
Why it matters
The announcement represents a strategic reversal as other major San Francisco firms like Block and Coinbase have recently moved to trim their own headcounts. Elsaid argues that building robust AI products requires more human direction to navigate complex user experience and strategy decisions.
Chatbase plans to double its headcount to 80 workers, a significant increase from its previous operating baseline of 17 to 40 staff members. While the company scales up, other local firms like Block and Coinbase recently reported workforce reductions of 50% and 14%, respectively.
The players
Yasser Elsaid
The founder of San Francisco-based AI company Chatbase who is moving to expand the firm's workforce.
Chatbase
A San Francisco tech company that builds AI agents and is currently moving from a lean-staffing model to a rapid-growth phase.
Block
A financial technology company based in San Francisco that cut its workforce by nearly half earlier this year.
Coinbase
A cryptocurrency exchange platform that reduced its employee headcount by 14% this May.
The details
Engineers at Chatbase currently dedicate 90% of their time to product development, researching customer needs and creating specifications for AI agents. Rather than treating code as a commodity, Elsaid plans to use this expanded team to tackle difficult tasks that he believes create lasting software value. The company will undergo this staffing transition over the next six months.
Timeline
January 2026: Elsaid previously advocated for maintaining lean teams.
February 2026: Block reduced its workforce by nearly 50%.
May 2026: Coinbase reduced its staff by 14%.
October 2026: Elsaid announced the plan to double his headcount.
Next six months: Chatbase expects to reach its goal of 80 employees.
Across the Bay
This hiring surge marks a direct departure from the recent trend of significant workforce reductions at prominent local firms like Block and Coinbase. Elsaid is opting to increase headcount at a moment when many peers are prioritizing leaner operations to navigate the current economic landscape.
Job seekers in the city can expect new engineering roles to open at the Chatbase headquarters over the next half year. If you are looking for work in AI product development, keep an eye on their hiring page for upcoming listings.
The takeaway
Elsaid has shifted his philosophy to believe that human direction remains the primary driver of software moats in the AI age. Track the company's progress over the next six months to see if this aggressive hiring strategy leads to faster product development.
Further reading
For more on the local labor market, visit San Francisco Job Search.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business Insider.
Live Poll
Do you believe AI tools will ultimately replace the need for human staff in most workplaces?
