While AI copies, let your taste and human touch be your ultimate competitive advantage.
AI is a great copying machine, but not necessarily an innovation machine.
It can spot patterns, analyze trends, and mimic successful strategies, but true innovation in products and services requires intuition, vision, grit, and being true to self - traits uniquely human.
In the near future differentiated software built with taste will be more valuable than ever. Founders who infuse their products with personality, a sense of community belonging, and a deep understanding of user needs will rise above the noise.
Unique brands, user experiences, designs, stories, and user communities will survive and thrive in a world of generic soulless replicas.
Is there a real-world example of that?
Famously, AirBnB succeeded over a copycat built in Germany.
The copycat was built more efficiently, but AirBnB had a unique brand, design, story, and community. This combination of authenticity, reliability, and emotional resonance created strong loyalty bonds - a differentiator no algorithm can replicate. This becomes even more true in crisis situations AirBnB has managed to weather such as the ransacking accident or COVID.
Now, in the age of AI, the copycats will be in the hundreds, but the recipe to win is the same.
AI will just spawn passable versions of existing business models. But passable isn't memorable and durable. Only founders who dare to build something meaningful will work on building a lasting impact.
But remember the Airbnb example. Superiority lies in that undefinable blend of taste guiding the company's design, narrative, and community. That's far beyond AI's current capabilities. It's that spark - the creativity, the passion, the human approach - that inspires users to connect and stay loyal.
I urge founders: to don't let the rise of AI tools lead to a decline in your aspirations.
Don’t settle for mediocrity. Elevate your AI + human playbook.
Don't get lulled into making a mediocre copy when you have the potential to build a truly unique, lasting company. Embrace AI as a tool, that's for sure, but not a strategy.
While AI copies, let your taste and human touch be your ultimate competitive advantage.