Why I Killed My 1000 User AI Project (Things You Should Consider Before You Start Yours)

In my journey as a technology educator and digital content creator, I've always stayed abreast of evolving AI technologies, nurturing the ambition to create a successful MicroSaaS platform. This pursuit led me to explore the field of generative AI, which, during its initial surge, largely comprised categories such as Q&A tools (ChatPDF), generative platforms (AudioPen, PhotoAI), integrations/extensions (Builder.io), and automation workflows (Bardeen).

Identifying a niche proved to be critical. Intrigued by the pervasive sense of loneliness affecting one in three Americans, I tapped into what's emerging as the "loneliness economy"—a sector potentially worth $10 trillion in Asia alone over the next decade, according to McKinsey. With a focus on enhancing the dating experience, I envisioned an AI-powered assistant to help couples express their love, thus LoveLeetr was conceived.

LoveLeetr garnered immediate traction, amassing 1000 users through organic growth on Twitter and various Slack communities. Despite its promising start, the project faced significant hurdles that ultimately led to its discontinuation. Here, I share these challenges as lessons for fellow entrepreneurs:

1. Content Moderation: LoveLeetr aimed to foster genuine connections, not casual encounters. However, the platform often encountered explicit content, challenging our core mission and necessitating stringent moderation protocols.

2. Data Management: Initially, the absence of data storage for user interactions hindered our ability to address issues or refine the AI's responses. Implementing comprehensive data tracking in subsequent versions was vital for improving service quality and user satisfaction.

3. Monetization Strategy: The unexpected popularity of LoveLeetr underscored the importance of a clear monetization plan from the outset. Balancing accessibility with sustainability is crucial, especially when managing escalating API costs.

4. Vendor Reliance: Launching with a dependency on a single AI provider proved risky, as evidenced by service disruptions from OpenAI in early 2023. Diversifying our AI sources became a priority to ensure reliability and consistent user experiences across different AI models and providers.

5. Ethical Considerations: The ethical deployment of AI technologies remains a paramount concern. LoveLeetr's evolution reflected a deepening commitment to its intended purpose as a supportive companion, highlighting the ethical responsibilities of tech entrepreneurs in shaping user interactions with AI.

In light of these insights, LoveLeetr has been reimagined and relaunched as a mobile application, now available on Product Hunt. This journey underscores the multifaceted challenges of creating AI-powered solutions, emphasizing the need for clear vision, ethical considerations, and strategic planning in the realm of technology entrepreneurship.

Check out the new and improved LoveLeetr: https://www.producthunt.com/posts/loveleetr