AI is as attractive as it is worrying. Gadget or revolution? Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, warns: behind the euphoria lies a veritable technology bubble.
“When bubbles form, smart people get excited about a kernel of truth.” Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI
This warning echoes the dot-com bubble of the 2000s, where over-enthusiasm for a technology led to massive overvaluation, followed by a sudden burst.
When every digital novelty sets the market on fire
A quick look back to understand the concept of a technology bubble.
In the early 2000s, the internet was on everyone's lips. This new technology excited the world, capturing both individuals and businesses. As a result, tens of thousands of companies were born, carried by the euphoria, launching anything and everything as soon as the word internet appeared. This excitement gave rise to what is known as the internet bubble.
Very quickly, she explodes and thousands of startups, funded with millions, disappear overnight. Why? Because many relied solely on technology, without addressing a concrete need.
Today, history seems to be repeating itself with AI. Spectacular fundraising rounds, daily announcements, magical promises... But one question remains: are we building on solid ground, or on hype ready to explode?
The AI Bubble Today
The patterns seem to repeat themselves: AI is everywhere, from conversational assistants to image generation tools, from chatbots integrated into customer service, to AI agents present on social networks.
Some uses create real value. But alongside them, how many attractive proofs of concept end up in a drawer due to lack of adoption?
As Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator, says:
“Most startups die not because of a lack of technology, but because they haven't found their market.”
The common lesson: use above all
It is not AI per se that will make the difference, the decisive criterion always remains the same: actual use.
A product survives when it solves a real-world problem. When the user understands its value and chooses to integrate it into their daily lives. Conversely, a brilliant but unused feature is just background noise.
UX, a compass in the face of AI hype
This is where the role of UX takes on its full meaning.
- Demystify : distinguish the gadget from the relevant tool.
- Translate : transforming complex technology into a clear and accessible experience.
- <strong>Make sense</strong> : positioning AI where it increases the human instead of cluttering it up.
- Avoid internal bubbles : remember that an unused feature is not an innovation, but a distraction.
The question is not “what can AI do?” but rather “What does the user gain from using it?”
AI + UX: the real winning duo
AI without UX produces spectacular gadgets, which shine for a few weeks before being forgotten.
UX without AI runs the risk of offering smooth experiences that are disconnected from the profound changes in digital technology.
The future is elsewhere: in a thoughtful hybrid, where AI is designed for humans, and not to impress a jury of investors.
As Jared Spool summarizes:
“The best experiences are not those that amaze in demo, but those that we can no longer imagine not using.”
AI will survive if it is designed for humans
The history of technology bubbles teaches us one thing: time sorts things out.
The AI bubble will burst if it stays technocentricBut if we anchor it in usage, it will become a lasting revolution.
Anaëlle Staelen, UX/UI designer and Product designer at UX-Republic
