when AI is all we talk about
Maybe we’ll all talk about AI all the time. Maybe we won’t. It doesn’t matter how much we talk about it, though, because it’s pretty much everywhere whether we talk about it or not.
But let’s talk about it.
AI is moving fast. There’s this urge to integrate it, involve it, build with it. There’s also a mild panic. What if we’re late to the party and all the good AI ideas are already taken?
We’re so early, but we can’t sleep on this. There are some things to think about:
Add AI to existing tools or build AI-native? We have only a few years left for products that aren’t AI-native. AI-native products are built from scratch with AI at the heart, instead of Saas apps with AI bolted on.
Functionality isn’t what it used to be. I don’t know what the unit of value will be, but AI products that are smarter, faster, more capable will deliver value differently. How we as users get value will change from (Human+Saas=Efficient Work) to (AI+Human=??) — what shape that takes is TBD.
Customers won’t demand it. They’ll expect it. They'll be confused when it’s not there. We already see this — people want tools to provide insights and recommendations. A lot of tools ask users to ‘prompt’. The real unlock is unearthing insights we can confidently take action with.
Of course there’s so much more. It’s getting easier and cheaper to build software. Any incumbent players have to be nervous about new companies built quickly.
Security is a real concern for users and builders. Regulations will struggle to keep up. Some governments will foster AI innovation. Others will make it hard or impossible. Companies will move to where it’s easy.
Companies will (continue to) fight over AI talent. Re-training or upskilling existing teams will be a hot topic.
Customer support will be more and more robot. People will be ok with that until they must speak with a human. And even then I bet we’ll be fooled by machines that sound marginally more human than the last.
Will software be like vinyl records?
Vinyl made a comeback with audiophiles and crate divers. The global market for vinyl records was $200 million in 2013. By 2023 it was estimated at $1.3 billion.
That won’t happen again with software. Saas companies have to keep pace and invest in innovation. Maybe there will be some Windows 95 nostalgics, but the world moves on.
Be proactive. B-E Proactive 📣
A successful company has to provide value. It also has to look ahead. As AI becomes more common (while being routinely ignored by consumers who don’t know they’re using it) companies have to be ready for change.
When AI is all we talk about, it won’t be optional anymore.
Are you ready?
Peter
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