AI is very advanced and can do a lot of things. I keep thinking about it and doing mental exercises. I’m using it and I’m trying to build an AI tool with a co-founder, although not by myself. Still, despite everything, I’m taking a step back from making a personal AI product. There are a few reasons for this. Let’s examine them in order.
1. Because of Warren Buffet! 🙂
I listened to a book about Warren Buffet that was turned into an audiobook. There was a point of view in the book that interested me. When Buffet was young, Coca-Cola existed and when he grew up, Coca-Cola was still in existence.
So things that have been around for many years can continue to be around for many years! These are products and services made for food, shelter, etc. That can be around for many years.
I’ve been working on a form builder called Create.ist for about a month now. I share the whole process by making #buildinpublic on X. Why do you think I wanted to make this tool?
Of course, there is the effect of looking at myself and seeing that it is time for me to sail to the red ocean with my analysis. But the main effect is because I see that tools like JotForm have been around for 20 years. There is an established sector here. It will continue to be used for many years. This is a need for us. In fact, it has been a need since 3200 BC.
It is a need that centuries have turned over and it is constantly being used. Someone is processing the inputs and turning them into results. Of course, I will make a form builder.
On the other hand, this is not the only reason, but that’s not the point.
Of course, it’s important to remember that showing up in new technologies gives you a say in shaping the future. But I don’t think I’m that big yet, I’m not that small. I’m developing and I’m sure one day I will have that say, but until then, this industry is not for me.
2. External Dependency! 🤨
I developed a lot of products and used a lot of tools. The biggest problem was external dependency!
What Does Foreign Dependency Mean?
It means buying your needs from outside. Not doing it with your means. It means feeding from external sources.
This is harmful after a certain point because if a country buys food from outside, it will face many problems. While prices are cheap, after a certain point, prices can increase and there can be economic fluctuations in the country. There can be food insecurity. Because there is economic dependency, you have to comply with all kinds of policies. You are forced to play by their rules. If you resist, they can cut off food. That changes everything.
When I was developing getAPIMaker.com, I was dependent on Notion APIs. I had to constantly update the product according to the constant evolution of Notion. It was difficult as a solopreneur. Because you are 1 person and there are more than 100 people there. 1 VS 100. It’s not fair.
I developed CreateTargetAudience.com with my co-founder friend and it grew. But when Elon Musk bought Twitter and turned it into X, he turned off that feature. So a product that was dependent on X failed after a notch when that feature was turned off. The reason was foreign dependency!
Many Twitter products also rebelled and stopped their products because they increased API fees. This happened because it was a foreign-dependent product. Of course, this is what I think right now, I may change my mind in the future.
3. High Engagement! 😶
AI products can get too much engagement. I can get crushed by API fees because of fast engagement. Actually, I know the prices are cheap, but keep the hype in mind. 🧠
Finally:
In the end, I don’t want to make an AI product because of these 3 items. Yes, there will be a lot of big things in the future and a lot of things will change, but it’s early to get into it yet. It’s early for me. It might be the right time for you.