AI is no longer the affair of science fiction. In recent years, we have seen everything, from the art generated by the AI which goes from the bizarre fascination, to the AI Standing comedy (With, let’s be honest, mixed results), in Ai by making up the music so beautiful, you wonder if the robots have feelings. These applications are everywhere, and it is easy to feel as if you do not occur the AI wave, your startup is missing. But is it true? Is it possible to succeed in 2024 if you are not an AI startup? Let’s decompose it.
First of all, ask yourself: do I really need to use AI for the problem I solve? If the answer is yes, go ahead and build your AI. If you are sitting on an IA idea that changes the situation and you have the resources to remove it, consider this your green light! But what happens if AI technology is not at the heart of your revolutionary starting idea? Do you still need to become an AI startup to succeed in 2024? I would like to share personal thoughts of the front line lines of the management of my own startup ai.
Should the main offer of my startup include AI?
Companies have only started to continue the technology of trends that rarely succeed in the long term. You could be motivated by new challenges, personal growth, improvement in the world or solving unique problems. Or maybe you dream of a sweet outing strategy. Whatever your “why”, the heart of any successful business is a product or service that solves a problem or meets a need. Although AI is a powerful tool for problem solving, it is not the only way to meet today’s challenges.
Don’t get me wrong; There are many impressive AI applications. If you have a revolutionary AI concept and the means to give it life, go for it. However, for many emerging companies, in particular those with limited resources, investing massively in AI may not be wise. The time and financial costs of the development and maintenance of these systems can quickly become restrictive. Beyond the initial expenses for high-level talents and cloud services, current expenses for data acquisition, model training and updates are often not durable for startups, especially when They are balanced with other critical needs.
Fortunately, the lack of resources to build your own AI does not mean that you must exclude it entirely. You can improve your product by existing AI solutions. For example, Openai offers tools that can be integrated by a freelancer. If possible, AI is probably not the essence of your product, and it does not matter. The addition of Open-Source AI and Rebranding as AI startup, as some do, could harm your investor grounds. There is a significant difference between having AI at the heart of your business and using it as a strategic improvement
To what extent are the AI for investors in 2024 attractive?
External investment is the vital element of most startups in startup. And although the attraction of the AI is undeniable, investors have become more demanding in recent years in the middle of the land linked to AI. Today, when you approach investors with an AI startup, they ask almost reflexively: “Does your AI own?” If your answer involves a layer on Chatgpt or an Openai API, their enthusiasm immediately decreases. You can almost see the disappointment in their eyes.
Investors are looking for truly revolutionary and unique AI applications, not generic features disguised as advanced innovation. Be honest from the start: do not present yourself as a leader in the AI revolution if you have never built your own AI. Instead, demonstrate your strategic understanding of the importance of AI and underline how you skillfully and ingeniously use existing market solutions to improve your products. This honest approach will resonate with more investors, emphasizing your unique position and your defense on the market. While some VC can have a program to invest in specific technologies or companies first, a false declaration is ultimately a waste of time and will be discovered during reasonable diligence. Kiss your strengths and not try to be something you are not.
Do I really need AI to get a competitive advantage?
Think like this: if you were easy to integrate AI into your product, your competitors have already done so too. Instead of following the herd, focus on what really distinguishes you. Invest in sustainable growth, develop a killer brand and create an almost addictive product experience. This is how you create a competitive advantage that resists the test of time and technological trends.
If your product solves a problem more effectively without AI – and you can prove it – it instantly becomes more attractive than your competitors hidden by AI. Remember that AI is a tool, not a magic ball. It is not a question of having AI for itself, but of the way your product meets the needs of your customers.
Can I go to 2024 without AI?
Navigate 2024 without AI is quite possible. That said, completely avoiding AI on principle is not intelligent, because it deprives you of potential productivity and advantages of time reduction. It is crucial to recognize the power of AI as an innovation accelerator or a complementary tool. You can use chatgpt or gemini to rationalize tasks such as e-mail writing, generation of meetings of meetings with Read.ai or Otter.ai, examine the code with Copilot or improve customer service with Klaus. However, if you only use AI for commercial operations and the activation of product features, be honest with yourself: you are probably not an AI startup.
Consider this: A third of the world’s population still lives without internet access. This means that the opportunities for impactful startups are large and varied. Sectors such as engineering, agriculture, health care, education, the manufacture of raw materials and local services, for example, remain ripe for innovation. Non AI solutions often have a greater impact in these areas.
In the end, a convincing value proposal, a solid commercial model and a dedicated team are the cornerstone of success, whether AI is involved. Non AI startups can not only survive in 2024 and beyond but prosper! Do not leave the media to dictate your long -term strategy. Kiss the unique vision of your startup rather than contortion to please popular technological trends.