Positioning your product in an AI-driven market

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), companies are faced with the challenge of integrating AI into their products while preserving human creativity and authenticity. Procreate's CEO, James Cuda, has publicly opposed the trend of generative AI, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a human-centered approach to creativity. The article explores the impact of AI on product design, highlighting both its potential benefits—such as automation, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced accessibility—and its drawbacks, including the risk of design homogenization, over-reliance on AI, and ethical concerns. While AI can enhance creativity by offering tools and insights, it cannot replicate the original thought, emotional depth, and cultural context that are inherently human. The article suggests that product teams must carefully evaluate whether AI solutions align with user needs, focusing on strategic decision-making and innovation. It also discusses different positioning strategies for AI products, such as adopting a human-centric approach, fully integrating AI, or leveraging it selectively to improve operational excellence. The overarching theme is that while AI offers valuable tools, human creativity remains irreplaceable, and product teams must navigate where AI adds value without undermining the creative process.