How founders validate an AI product before building it
The fastest way to waste time on an AI product is to build the most impressive version of the idea first. Instead, identify the one assumption that would make the product valuable or useless, then build the smallest test for that assumption.
Start with the user’s current workaround
Document what the target user does today, including spreadsheets, manual review, copy-and-paste, and “good enough” tools. This reveals where an AI system can remove friction and where accuracy matters too much for automation.
Prototype the decision, not the whole platform
A useful prototype can be a narrow workflow with realistic inputs and a human in the loop. Measure whether users understand the output, trust it enough to act, and return to the workflow.
Define the evidence before you build
Agree on a small set of signals: task completion, time saved, correction rate, or repeat usage. If the prototype cannot produce evidence, it is a demo—not validation.