Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence of a black market for AI product invitation codes, highlighting how scarcity is artificially created by companies to generate hype and demand, leading to a new form of social currency in the AI industry [4][6][12]. Group 1: Invitation Code Market Dynamics - Invitation codes for AI products have become highly sought after, with some being sold for hundreds or even thousands of yuan, creating a black market for these codes [6][12]. - The phenomenon of users scrambling for invitation codes has led to a culture of sharing and trading, with some individuals even forming groups to exchange codes [12][24]. - The practice of selling invitation codes has become lucrative, with individuals realizing they can profit from the scarcity created by companies [12][19]. Group 2: Marketing Strategies and User Behavior - Companies are increasingly using invitation codes as a marketing tool to create urgency and exclusivity, which in turn drives user engagement and interest [6][20]. - The article notes that the scarcity of invitation codes can lead to a sense of anxiety among users, prompting them to seek out these codes aggressively [21][25]. - Some entrepreneurs view the invitation code system as a way to control user growth and manage operational costs, rather than purely as a marketing gimmick [17][19]. Group 3: Historical Context and Evolution - The use of invitation codes is not new; it has been a growth strategy for various tech products since the late 1990s, with notable examples including Facebook and Gmail [15][16]. - In China, the concept was initially popularized through online games and has since been adopted by various platforms to build initial user bases [16][19]. - The article suggests that while invitation codes can generate initial interest, their effectiveness in sustaining user engagement is questionable, as many users may lose interest after a brief trial [26][27].