There is a huge temptation in the era of AI to build tech for tech’s sake.
Before you do, stand back and pause.
“Is what I’m about to build useful to a real world problem?”
And equally as importantly:
“If I showed this to other humans, would they agree that it’s useful and desireable?”
If the answer is no to either one of them, you’re probably wasting your time.
Why human utility is super important
People don’t buy technology for technologies sake. They buy solutions to problems.
Forcing new technologies on users typically leads to rejection, and pursuing projects like that can be a complete waste of time for the following reasons:
- Most software written ends up digital waste: Many promising apps get deleted after one use because they solve trivial problems. Out of the millions of applications written - what percentage do you use?
- People don’t want digital clutter: People resist accumulating apps and gadgets that don't provide value.
- You can waste so much time building software no one will ever use: Applying effort to trendy technology topics, rather than addressing genuine human is a really bad bet.
This is why deeply understanding the customer problem and their needs is critically important before lifting a finger to work on it.
Conclusion:
When you want to build or apply technology to any situation, look to implement the following steps:
- Start with a clear problem statement focused on human needs before even thinking about technological solutions.
- Talk about that problem with potential users to validate if it solves a genuine problem and guage the enthusiasm for the solution.
- Regularly revisit the two key questions: "Does this solve a real-world problem?" and "Would others find this useful and desirable?"
- When thinking through the solution, prioritise depth of impact over the technical novelty of the solution proposed. This keeps you grounded and away from hype.
Successful technology should disappear into the background, making people’s lives better. By maintaining the human centred approach, you’ll avoid contributing to the massive pile digital waste created by smart people.