Too Small, Too Weird
One of the concepts I've been thinking a lot about lately is that AI dramatically changes the supply-side economics of creating content, software, games, etc., but doesn't necessarily change consumer demand.Consumers have always been interested in sex, money, and status at a base level. Perhaps a more generous view is self-expression, community, and experiences that move them forward on their personal hero's journey.
I think a real challenge for consumer founders is connecting these supply-side miracles to latent consumer demand.
True customer empathy is very rare, and so much of software is an act of self-expression rather than an act of creating utility or joy for the customer. Founders love the software they make because it tells their story, but customers are interested in their own stories.
AI makes it cheaper to make almost anything. It doesn't tell you what people want, or make them want whatever you decide to build.
The problematic but prescient Dave McClure with advice from a decade or so ago:
Great products and companies do 1 of 3 things:Get you laid (Sex) Get you paid (Money) Get you made (Power)
How does your solution tap into the emotional, powerful, evolutionary needs that we as humans have?
You are unlikely going to be all things for all people. So niche down. Pick a tribe you know, that will love this. Explain how it makes current and potential customers happy.
The demand was always there. Some of it was too small, too weird and too personal to be worth anyone's while.
Now every tribe gets its own cabinet of curiosities.