AI: A Feature or a Product?

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 I recently watched an MKBHD video that tackled an interesting question: Is AI a feature or a product? Marques Brownlee, the tech guru, argued that AI is more of a feature than a standalone product. And you know what? I agree.

Let's break it down. AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is embedded in almost every piece of technology we use today. From the voice assistants like Siri and Alexa to the recommendation algorithms on Netflix and YouTube, AI enhances the functionality of these products. It's not the main attraction; it's the magic behind the curtain making everything run smoother, smarter, and more efficiently.

Consider your smartphone. The AI capabilities it boasts—photo enhancements, predictive text, personalized app suggestions—are features that improve your overall user experience. They’re not what you buy the phone for, but they make it indispensable once you have it.

Now, some might argue that AI-driven devices like self-driving cars or robots are products. But even here, AI is the feature that enables these products to function. The car itself is the product; the AI is what makes it autonomous. Without AI, it’s just another vehicle.

However, there are spectacular failures when companies try to sell AI as a standalone product. Take the Rabbit R1, for example. Marketed as a cutting-edge AI-powered robot, it promised to revolutionize the household with its intelligence. Instead, it turned out to be an expensive paperweight, unable to perform basic tasks reliably. Then there’s the Humane Pin, a wearable AI assistant that was supposed to seamlessly integrate into our lives. Instead, it failed to find its niche, proving that AI without a solid application is just hype.

Moreover, viewing AI as a feature rather than a product has significant implications for innovation. It pushes companies to integrate AI in ways that enhance existing products, making technology more intuitive and user-friendly. Instead of focusing on AI for AI's sake, the emphasis is on practical applications that actually improve our daily lives, instead of giving us a digital rabbit which just leaks your data.

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