OpenAI Codex Tech Lead On How His Career Grew And How He Uses Codex | Michael Bolin

Michael Bolin, tech lead for the open source Codex repository and former distinguished engineer at Meta, discusses his career growth, offering insights into the cultures of Google, Meta, and OpenAI. Bolin recounts his early work on Chickenfoot, a Firefox extension for web automation, drawing parallels to modern AI agents. He shares his experiences building build tools at Meta, including the Buck build system, and later developing the Newclyde IDE. Bolin also reflects on his transition to OpenAI, highlighting the differences between research-led and engineering-led cultures. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, recommending books on operating systems and participation in CTF security competitions to broaden engineering skills.