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Why most AI tools fail and how to build one that lasts

Published 21 days ago Viewed 12 times

Okay, let's ditch the tech jargon and talk about why so many AI tools are flopping, and how to actually build one that sticks around. Imagine you're at a tech fair: tons of shiny new AI gadgets, but most feel... well, kinda pointless.

The AI Tool Graveyard

You see it all the time, right? Someone throws up a website that basically just takes your words, shoves them into ChatGPT, and spits out an answer. It's like putting a fancy wrapper on a candy bar you can buy at any corner store. Sure, it's convenient, but why pay extra?

The Problem: Just an API Wrapper

Basically, a lot of these tools are just fancy interfaces for existing AI models. They don't bring anything new to the table. If you can get the same result by asking ChatGPT directly, why bother with the new app?

The "Third Ball" Concept

Think of building an AI tool like juggling. You've got:

Ball 1: The Pretty Face (Frontend): The website or app interface.
Ball 2: The Brains (AI Integration): Connecting to those powerful AI models.

But that's not enough. You need a third ball:

Ball 3: Unique Value (Exclusive Data/Real-World Connection): This is where you bring something new and special.

What Does That "Third Ball" Look Like?

Let's break it down:

Feature	Description	Example
Real-World Data	Incorporating data that's tied to physical actions or events.	A platform that uses AI to analyze drone footage for real estate pricing. It doesn't just process data; it facilitates the creation of that data through drone services.
Exclusive Datasets	Using data that's not publicly available or easily accessible.	A medical AI tool that uses a proprietary database of patient records to provide more accurate diagnoses.
Human Collaboration	Building a system where users contribute data or expertise, creating a network effect.	A marketplace where users can submit and monetize their own AI-generated content, creating a growing library of unique data.
Marketplace creation	Build a platform where users can contribute and monetize their participation, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem.	A platform where people can upload their own pictures, and AI tags and sorts them, and other people can use those pictures for various projects, and the original picture owner can be paid a percentage.