The Startup Ideas Podcast
The best businesses are built at the intersection of emerging technology, community, and real human needs.
Training Wheels Principle for AI Tools
Most people need 'training wheels' (guided workflows, optimized prompts, structured processes) to get professional results from AI tools rather than raw tool access
Decision Rule
When evaluating AI tools, prioritize those that provide guidance and structure over those that offer maximum flexibility but require expertise
How It Works
Raw AI tools require significant prompt engineering and workflow knowledge to produce professional results, while guided tools embed this expertise
Failure Modes
Assuming users want maximum control over ease of use
Underestimating the skill gap in AI tool usage
Focusing on tool capabilities rather than user outcomes
Not providing enough guidance for beginners
Example Decision
“Choose a thumbnail optimization agent that analyzes your image and suggests improvements over raw Midjourney access that requires you to craft effective prompts from scratch”