Technology often is considered ‘skill-biased,’ increasing demand for high-skill work (Acemoglu and Autor, 2021, 1046). This study aims to determine whether artificial intelligence (AI) will have an analogous impact within startups or potentially be ‘skill-substituting’. Leveraging Revelio data, regressions were conducted on a set of 50 AI companies and 50 software (SW) companies on three skill variables (salary, education, and seniority), in relation to an AI intensity index. Interviews were also conducted with startup executives. AI intensity exhibited a meaningful relationship with one of three skill variables – education (p = .049). Interview respondents reinforced this, indicating that the need for greater technical skills will create greater demand for education. While AI was skill-biased and skill-substituting in different use cases, all of these cases still point to a general up-leveling of roles. Further research as the technology matures across different contexts can help determine the generalizability of results.