AI is changing the rules of the tech game at breakneck speed. Every day, we see new tools and platforms emerge—like Replit and Cursor—that make building software products radically simpler. Code generation, bug fixing, and even complex tasks can now be handled by AI “agents” with relative ease. In this new world, it’s no longer enough to just have a good product idea and some coding chops. The real differentiator will be your ability to attract, engage, and retain users. Anyone can build a product with AI, but not everyone can build a community.
As someone who has spent over 18 years working in CPO, VP, etc roles in tech companies such as Google, OLX/Dubizzle, Virgin Mobile, Namshi, and Property Finder, I’ve seen how dramatically the industry can shift with each wave of innovation. I’m a veteran Product Nerd who has loved every minute of crafting digital solutions. But AI is upping the ante for us all. Now that I’m founding two new startups—Cloutfit.ai, which uses AI to increase user engagement and revenue for fashion e-commerce businesses, and Simtree.co, a global corporate eSIM solution—my perspective on community building has never been clearer. In an era of AI democratization, it’s becoming crystal clear that genuine relationships with your audience are the lifeblood of future success.
The Rise of AI and Low Barriers to Entry
The first point to recognize is that AI has drastically lowered the barriers to building a tech product. Thanks to platforms like Replit and Cursor, it’s no longer necessary to spend months learning multiple programming languages or hiring large engineering teams. Prototype and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) development can happen in days—sometimes even hours. But if everyone can create a product, how will yours stand out?
This is exactly why focusing on user acquisition, retention, and delight is paramount. The moment you launch your product, anyone else can spin up a similar idea—maybe even faster—using AI. Your unique selling point has to be more than a cool feature. It should be the community and brand presence you’ve built around your product.
Community as a Moat
In the Middle East and beyond, tech entrepreneurs are learning the hard way that users are their biggest asset. Even if your product idea is revolutionary today, tomorrow someone could replicate its core functionality with a few AI prompts. What they cannot clone overnight is your relationship with your users. That emotional connection, the trust you’ve built, and the community culture you foster act as a fortress around your product’s success.
So, what does building a community look like? It might mean starting a YouTube channel or podcast where you speak to your niche audience. It can be as straightforward as posting consistently on social media or launching an email newsletter that shares insights or behind-the-scenes updates. If you can make content that resonates and sparks conversation, you’re well on your way to assembling an engaged following.
Remember: this community doesn’t just give you an immediate user base for your future product launches. It also becomes your “beta testing” ground, your word-of-mouth marketing machine, and your source of real-world feedback. Most importantly, it fosters loyalty in a world where loyalty is increasingly hard to come by.
The Global Tech Hiring Drought
On top of all this, the tech industry is witnessing something of a paradox. Despite the dizzying growth of digital products, many companies are tightening their belts and reducing their workforce. The reason? AI allows a leaner team to achieve more. The cost savings for companies are enormous, so why hire a full team when a fraction of that—augmented by AI—could deliver the same results?
This is having a ripple effect, making jobs in tech more competitive and harder to come by. Whether you’re a veteran developer or an ambitious newbie, the landscape isn’t as straightforward as it once was. Many will be forced to either upskill rapidly—learning how to leverage AI to be hyper-productive—or pivot into building their own products and businesses. In other words, if you can’t find a role in an established company, why not become the founder of the next one?
Oversaturation and Survival
With AI tools readily available, we’re poised to see a flood of new startups. Everything from ecommerce to SaaS to the next big social network will multiply at a dizzying pace. This oversaturation means only a select few will survive. When everyone can build a feature-rich platform quickly, the determining factor for success circles back to one thing: community.
Your brand story, your personal voice, the trust you cultivate—those are the things that cannot be mimicked by AI. People gravitate toward authenticity and human connection, especially when technology feels overwhelming. If you’re not investing in your audience today, be prepared to fade into obscurity tomorrow.
My Own Journey: Cloutfit.ai and Simtree.co
My own entrepreneurial path reflects this mindset. After nearly two decades in top tech companies, I decided to channel my passion for product development into building two startups:
1. Cloutfit.ai: A B2B platform for fashion e-commerce companies, leveraging AI to boost user engagement and revenue. We’re not just selling software; we’re forging partnerships and communities among fashion brands worldwide. We understand that in a competitive market, our edge isn’t just top-tier AI—it’s the relationships we will build with our clients.
2. Simtree.co: A global corporate eSIM solution that provides affordable connectivity for business travelers. We are focusing heavily on user experience and direct communication with customers, aiming to create a network of advocates rather than mere subscribers.
Both ventures tap into the power of AI, but more importantly, they are tapping into the power of people. The technology is there. Our challenge—and yours—is to create lasting value that resonates with real-life needs and real human communities.
Parting Thoughts
The future of tech is as exciting as it is intimidating. While AI removes many of the technical obstacles to building a product, it intensifies the competition. Many will create. Few will endure. What separates the winners from the rest will be the user base they’ve garnered through genuine connection and community-building.
If you’re reading this, let it serve as both a wake-up call and a rallying cry. Start now. Begin sharing your story, engaging with potential customers, and nurturing your community. Whether it’s via YouTube, podcasts, newsletters, or social media, make your voice heard. In an era where AI can replicate the nitty-gritty of product development, your brand presence and loyal user base will become your most formidable advantage.
So go forth and build! But don’t forget the human side. Build your audience. Build your tribe. Because when the AI dust settles, the products with people behind them—and around them—will stand tallest.
