Most of the Generative AI Industry Has It Exactly Backwards

Core Insights - The generative AI industry is currently misaligned, focusing on automation for cost-cutting rather than augmenting human capabilities for revenue generation [2][3][17] - The industry is experiencing stalled adoption and skepticism from executives due to a flawed model that prioritizes efficiency over imagination and long-term value [3][4][22] Industry Analysis - Over 90% of enterprise generative AI pilots fail to reach production, with a decline in adoption from 14% to 12% reported by the U.S. Census Bureau [4] - More than 60% of CEOs express uncertainty about the true value of generative AI, indicating a lack of confidence in expense-side automation tools [4][22] Historical Context - Historical patterns show that major technological disruptions are often misframed initially, with generative AI currently being treated as a cost-cutting tool rather than a means to enhance human intelligence [6][8][11] Augmentation vs. Automation - Augmentation AI is defined by characteristics such as pushback, transparency, and curiosity, which empower users rather than merely replacing tasks [9][12][19] - The shift from expense-side automation to revenue-side augmentation is critical for achieving smarter strategies and measurable growth [17][22] Product Development - Curiouser.AI has developed two key products: Alice, a Reflective AI designed to support human imagination, and Looking-Glass, an execution platform that integrates various functions [13][15] - Alice aims to enhance thinking processes, while Looking-Glass focuses on executing strategies effectively [14][16] Future Outlook - The new category termed "Growth AI" emphasizes empowering individuals and organizations, generating revenue, and fostering better questioning rather than merely providing faster answers [22][24] - Early traction indicates a strong demand for AI that augments human capabilities, with 60% of trial users converting to paid subscriptions [23][25]