AI: the race to lose!

In my privileged position as an analyst at Analysis.tech, I see AI everywhere, all at once, every day. It’s no surprise. AI, in all its derivative forms, is absolutely mind-blowing. The rate of progress is staggering, and we’re only just getting started.

Yet, what does surprise me is how many AI-driven technologies and products are being pitched as "we are the only ones doing it". Vendors might not use these exact words, but the differentiation in messaging is getting very blurred.

Being First Doesn't Guarantee Winning

Historically, being first to market mattered. It helped carve out market share, build network effects, and secure dominance. That’s still true to an extent, especially for vendors with established platforms and technologies that are enhanced effectively with AI. But in reality, being first is just really just an indicator that you’ll have 10 competitors tomorrow... And 100 more next week.

I don’t think I’m alone in this thinking. I was once told, “If you think you have no competition, you haven’t looked hard enough.” That has never been truer than today when it comes to AI.

AI is Leveling The Playing Field FAST

AI isn’t just creating new markets; it’s also flattening them. It’s making competition so fluid that standing out for more than a moment is becoming nearly impossible. Worse, plagiarism is no longer a scandal, it’s just reality.

Think About It:

• Patents: Good luck proving uniqueness in a world where AI evolves daily.
• Messaging: The more AI products that flood the market, the harder it is to articulate a real differentiator. And those that admit this, have a better chance of dominance, or at least survival.
• Sustainable advantage: If your “AI-powered feature” is your edge, you don’t have an edge.

The Real Winners?

Those who build AI out on what already works or can truly drive to mass adoption with AI and uniqueness, fast enough to clean up. That’s why I see established players with strong "before AI" (BAI) products as the real contenders. If they can apply AI in a way that makes their existing offerings exponentially better, they will have an early advantage.

But even that isn’t going to be enough. They need much clearer messaging, real differentiation, and an understanding that the AI flood will dilute everything, unless they stay ahead of it. Learn to articulate this and do your research because you are not fooling anyone.

I remain massively excited about AI’s and its current and future potential. It’s already transforming industries and will continue to do so at pace. But vendors, entrepreneurs, and investors need to face reality:

? It’s OK not to be unique.

? It’s NOT OK to believe you are when you’re not.

Because your shareholders won't be so forgiving.