Dec 193 min read

The Two Golden Rules of AI

Saving Time and Money in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape with Vishwanath Akuthota

I constantly encounter enthusiasts eager to harness the power of this transformative technology. But with the breakneck pace of innovation, it's easy to get caught up in the hype and make decisions that aren't future-proof.

Today, I want to share two golden rules that will help you navigate the AI landscape effectively, saving you both time and money:

Golden Rule #1: Embrace the Ephemeral - Ditch the Annual Subscriptions

Gone are the days of committing to a single AI tool for years. The field is experiencing a price revolution fueled by two key factors:

Plummeting AI Tech Costs: As AI development becomes more efficient, the underlying technology becomes more affordable. This translates into constantly dropping prices for user-facing tools.
VC Subsidies for User Acquisition: Venture capitalists are eager to get their hands on promising AI startups. One tactic they employ is heavily subsidizing user acquisition costs. This means you, as the user, benefit from incredibly low prices, sometimes even free tiers, to entice you to try a new tool.

Example in Action:

Look at Windsurf.ai, a powerful tool with a monthly subscription of just $10. This is half the price of established players like Cursor or GitHub Copilot. And speaking of Copilot, just yesterday they announced a free tier! This rapid price change highlights the dynamic nature of the AI market.

Two Golden Rules of AI vishwanath akuthota

Golden Rule #2: Don't Be Blinded by the Demo Sparkle - Test Before You Trust

AI demos are designed to impress. Often, they showcase ideal scenarios with perfect outcomes. However, the real world is messy. To truly understand an AI tool's effectiveness, you need to roll up your sleeves and put it through its paces.

Here's a personal anecdote: Remember the early demos of Devin, the AI writing assistant? It promised revolutionary content creation. However, upon testing, it became clear that its capabilities were far from flawless.

Moral of the story? Test, test, and test again before putting your faith (and potentially your money) in an AI tool.

The AI Landscape: A New Set of Rules

The key takeaway here is that the traditional rules of software don't always apply in the fast-paced world of AI. Here, the best strategy is to embrace the ephemeral nature of the market and the importance of thorough testing.

P.S. My AI Golden Rule? Stay Curious!

The AI field is constantly pushing boundaries. The most valuable asset you can possess is an insatiable curiosity. Stay informed, experiment with new tools, and never stop learning. This will ensure you remain at the forefront of this exciting technological revolution.

What are your thoughts? Share your own AI golden rules in the comments below!

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