Y Combinator applications are getting longer, with more em dashes. Guess why.

Y Combinator applications have grown 60% in length over three years and show stylistic trends including more em dashes and increased use of words like "wedge." These shifts are suspected to be influenced by AI-generated writing. Views on using AI for submissions conflict among leaders, with YC CEO Garry Tan admitting its use while former cofounder Paul Graham criticized founder communications that he wrote by AI.